Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Multifunctional Polymer-Nanoparticle Composites For Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Applications, Aliandra E. Pierce, Samantha A. Patrick, Steven R. Emory
Multifunctional Polymer-Nanoparticle Composites For Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Applications, Aliandra E. Pierce, Samantha A. Patrick, Steven R. Emory
WWU Honors College Senior Projects
To create a multifunctional nanoparticle-based optical sensor, a pH-responsive microgel consisting of 20% polystyrene (PS) and 80% poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) surface-coated with gold nanoparticle (NP) seeds was synthesized. The pH-responsive microgel serves as a size-tunable scaffold for the assembly of the surface-enhanced Raman scatter active (SERS-active) metal, gold. The random copolymer of PS and P2VP (PS20P2VP80) is sterically stabilized by poly(ethyleneglycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA) and lightly crosslinked with divinylbenzene (DVB) to allow for reversible pH-swelling over multiple cycles of acid-base titration. The ability to swell and de-swell in response to changes in pH allows for the tuning of gold NP …