Modification of gold nanoparticle composite nanostructures using thermosensitive core-shell particles as a template

We report the formation of novel thermosensitive hybrid core-shell particles via in situ synthesis of gold nanoparticles using thermosensitive core-shell particles as a template. The template core-shell particles, with cores composed mainly of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (GMA) and shells composed mainly of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), were synthesized in aqueous medium, and functional groups such as thiol groups were incorporated into each particle. We found that these particles containing thiol groups were effective for the in situ synthesis of gold nanoparticles in long-term storage. The obtained hybrid particles exhibited a reversible color change from red to purple, which originated from the surface plasmon resonance of gold nanoparticles and which was temperature-dependent in the range of 25-40 degrees C. In addition to their thermosensitive property, the hybrid particles exhibited the unique characteristic of uniform distribution on a solid substrate. The particles obtained by this approach have potential thermosensitive applications such as in sensors and photonic or electronic devices.