2D Hybrid Networks of Gold Nanoparticles: Mechanoresponsive Optical Humidity Sensors

Plasmonic coupling is a fascinating fenomena occurring between neighboring metal nanostructures. We report a straightforward approach to study it macroscopically by fabricating 2D networks of gold nanoparticles, interconnected with hygroscopic organic linkers. By controlling the humidity we tune the interparticle distance to reversibly trigger plasmon coupling collectively over several millimeter.