title: Surface asymmetry of coated spherical nanoparticles.
abstract: We validate the nonspherical grafting arrangement of isotropically coated spherical nanoparticles as very recently proposed. We utilize localized surface plasmon resonance enhanced dynamic polarized and depolarized light scattering from Au nanoparticles, the spherical symmetry of which was revealed by single-particle dark-field spectroscopy. The same Au nanospheres are grafted with ligands of different chemistry and length. The wavelength dependent depolarization ratio and the two transport coefficients of these nanoparticles, obtained from the dynamic light scattering experiment, can only be reconciled with the TEM data, the single UV/vis extinction spectrum, and the dark-field spectroscopy experiments if their coating is described as asymmetric. Spatially anisotropic graft distribution on spherical nanoparticles impacts their assembly and understanding its origin will help control the structure and properties of polymer nanocomposites.
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research , Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Amelie H R
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: Gaëtan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lévêque
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harms
authors.forename: Karmena
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jaskiewicz
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernhardt
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Henkel
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sönnichsen
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Landfester
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fytas