Probing Plasmon-Induced Chemical Mechanisms by Free-Radical Nanophotopolymerization

Localized surface plasmon-induced photopolymerization of free-radical acrylate monomers is an efficient, smart, and versatile method for preparing metal/polymer hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) with accurate control the thickness spatial distribution polymer on NP surface. Despite a growing number practical demonstrations, mechanism leading to polymerization monomer by localized plasmon resonance (LSPR) still controversial. It could be related either photochemical enhanced electromagnetic hot spots (enhanced near field) or thermoplasmonic (photothermal heating) electrochemical (via hot-carrier injection) mechanisms, as proposed in different studies. After developing high-resolution characterization based transmission electron microscopy tuning photopolymer composition irradiation conditions, LSPR-induced physicochemical revealed. We demonstrate that pathway main under mild conditions chosen this process. In more general way, proves powerful tool investigate coupling between metal nanostructures organic moieties.