Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Nanomaterials: Gold Nanoshells with An Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Core

Gold nanoshells, which are materials containing a thin shell of gold around a core microparticle of silica, are of great interest due to their unique optical properties. Potential applications for these novel nanomaterials include sensing, imaging, drug delivery, and solar energy conversion. Our interest is on nanoshells that use a core formed from an organic-inorganic hybrid material. By utilizing co-polymerization of organic and inorganic monomeric materials, we are developing gold nanoshells that incorporate either titania or silica. Tuning the organic framework and the cross-linking in the polymer core can provide a greater degree of versatility to change optical properties of the resulting nanomaterials. In this presentation, we will detail the preparation and characterization of these novel nanomaterials. Results from transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering, and UV-Vis spectroscopy will be used to compare the gold nanoshells based on novel hybrid core particle to the traditional silica cores.