title: Direct formation of gold nanorods on surfaces using polymer-immobilised gold seeds.
abstract: Herein, we present the formation of gold nanorods (GNRs) on novel gold-poly(methyl methacrylate) (Au-PMMA) nanocomposite substrates with unprecedented growth control through the polymer molecular weight (M w) and gold-salt-to-polymer weight ratio. For the first time, GNRs have been produced by seed-mediated direct growth on surfaces that were pre-coated with polymer-immobilised gold seeds. A Au-PMMA nanocomposite formed by UV photoreduction has been used as the gold seed. The influence of polymer M w and gold concentration on the formation of GNRs has been investigated and discussed. The polymer nanocomposite formed with a lower M w PMMA and 20 wt % gold salt provides a suitable medium for growing well-dispersed GNRs. In this sample, the average dimension of produced GNRs is 200 nm in length with aspect ratios up to 10 and a distribution of GNRs to nanoparticles of nearly 22%. Suitable characterization techniques such as AFM and SEM have been used to support concept of the proposed growth method.
authors.affiliation: Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, OX11 0DE Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Majid K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Abyaneh
authors.affiliation: Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., s.s. 14 km 163.5 in Area Science Park, Basovizza, 34149, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parisse
authors.affiliation: Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., s.s. 14 km 163.5 in Area Science Park, Basovizza, 34149, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Casalis
keywords: atomic force microscopy (AFM); direct surface growth; gold nanorods; nanocomposites; poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)