title: Design, synthesis, and characterization of mesogenic amine-capped nematic gold nanoparticles with surface-enhanced plasmonic resonances.
abstract: The use of the liquid-crystalline state to control the assembly of large (>5 nm) gold nanoparticles (NPs) is of considerable interest because of the promise of novel metamaterial properties of such systems. Here we report on a new approach for the preparation of large nematic gold NPs using a bifunctional capping agent that enables control over the particle size and serves as a linkage for subsequent functionalization with mesogenic groups. Properties of the NPs were characterized by HRTEM, NMR, DSC, TGA, UV/vis, OPM, and XRD studies. The results confirmed the formation of a stable nematic mesophase above 37.5 °C for NPs in the 6-11 nm size range.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull HU6 7RX, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Chih H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Christopher P J
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Schubert
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.forename: Bai J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: M-Gabriela
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Tamba
authors.forename: Georg H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Mehl
mesh_terms: D000588:Amines / Q000737:chemistry*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010316:Particle Size; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D006046:Gold