Nanoscale actuation of thermoreversible polymer brushes coupled with localized surface plasmon resonance of gold nanoparticles.

This paper describes the fabrication of hybrid nanoassemblies with polymer brushes and gold nanoparticles enabling detection of nanoscale optical changes based on localized surface plasmon resonance. The reversible and thermosensitive nanoscale actuation is achieved by combining stimuli-responsive polymer brushes and gold nanoparticles independently and selectively assembled on substrates. These hybrid nanoassemblies are assembled on numerous substrates and will be applicable for optoelectronics, nanoactuator, and nanosensor applications.