Cucurbitrils for Hardwired Optical and Electronic Self-assembly
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
We aim to grow specific-sized metal and semiconductor nanoparticles inside rigid molecular cages called cucurbiturils, and subsequently assemble them into functional nano-chains. Combining these filled cages with well-defined connector molecules allows us to precisely define particle geometries, particle separations and particle interfacing. This in turn enables the robust construction of plasmonic optical antennae at visible wavelengths, room-temperature single-electron-tunnelling transistors and combined photovoltaics. Such functional properties open up novel alternative methods for directed assembly using irradiation with precisely-tuned lasers, nano-electrochemistry or ac-electric fields. This approach will constitute the basis of a new nanotechnology platform for organic-inorganic ordered nano-composites.
Publications
Ahmad S
(2015)
Strong Photocurrent from Two-Dimensional Excitons in Solution-Processed Stacked Perovskite Semiconductor Sheets.
in ACS applied materials & interfaces
Baumberg J
(2019)
Extreme nanophotonics from ultrathin metallic gaps
Baumberg JJ
(2019)
Extreme nanophotonics from ultrathin metallic gaps.
in Nature materials
Benz F
(2016)
SERS of Individual Nanoparticles on a Mirror: Size Does Matter, but so Does Shape
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
Benz F
(2016)
Single-molecule optomechanics in "picocavities".
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Benz F
(2015)
Generalized circuit model for coupled plasmonic systems.
in Optics express
Benz F
(2015)
Generalized circuit model for coupled plasmonic systems.
Benz F
(2016)
Single-molecule optomechanics in "picocavities"
Benz F
(2015)
Nanooptics of molecular-shunted plasmonic nanojunctions.
in Nano letters
Chikkaraddy R
(2016)
Single-molecule strong coupling at room temperature in plasmonic nanocavities.
in Nature
De Nijs B
(2015)
Unfolding the contents of sub-nm plasmonic gaps using normalising plasmon resonance spectroscopy.
in Faraday discussions
De Nijs B
(2017)
Smart supramolecular sensing with cucurbit[n]urils: probing hydrogen bonding with SERS.
in Faraday discussions
Deacon WM
(2017)
Interrogating Nanojunctions Using Ultraconfined Acoustoplasmonic Coupling.
in Physical review letters
Del Barrio J
(2016)
Light-Regulated Molecular Trafficking in a Synthetic Water-Soluble Host.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Esteban R
(2012)
How chain plasmons govern the optical response in strongly interacting self-assembled metallic clusters of nanoparticles.
in Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids
Groombridge A
(2017)
Aqueous interfacial gels assembled from small molecule supramolecular polymers.
Groombridge AS
(2017)
Aqueous interfacial gels assembled from small molecule supramolecular polymers.
in Chemical science
Grys DB
(2020)
Citrate Coordination and Bridging of Gold Nanoparticles: The Role of Gold Adatoms in AuNP Aging.
in ACS nano
Herrmann LO
(2013)
Self-sifting of chain plasmons: the complex optics of Au nanoparticle clusters.
in Optics express
Herrmann LO
(2014)
Threading plasmonic nanoparticle strings with light.
in Nature communications
Herrmann LO
(2013)
Watching single nanoparticles grow in real time through supercontinuum spectroscopy.
in Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Hu C
(2016)
Hollow mesoporous raspberry-like colloids with removable caps as photoresponsive nanocontainers.
in Nanoscale
Hu C
(2015)
Cucurbit[8]uril-Regulated Nanopatterning of Binary Polymer Brushes via Colloidal Templating.
in Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
Huang F
(2010)
Actively tuned plasmons on elastomerically driven Au nanoparticle dimers.
in Nano letters
Hüsken N
(2013)
Electrokinetic assembly of one-dimensional nanoparticle chains with cucurbit[7]uril controlled subnanometer junctions.
in Nano letters
Jones S
(2014)
Gold Nanorods with Sub-Nanometer Separation using Cucurbit[ n ]uril for SERS Applications
in Small
Kasera S
(2012)
Quantitative SERS using the sequestration of small molecules inside precise plasmonic nanoconstructs.
in Nano letters
Kasera S
(2014)
Quantitative multiplexing with nano-self-assemblies in SERS.
in Scientific reports
Kelf T
(2013)
Mapping gigahertz vibrations in a plasmonic-phononic crystal
in New Journal of Physics
Lee TC
(2012)
A facile synthesis of dynamic supramolecular aggregates of cucurbit[n]uril (n=5-8) capped with gold nanoparticles in aqueous media.
in Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Loget G
(2012)
Direct visualization of symmetry breaking during janus nanoparticle formation.
in Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Lombardi A
(2016)
Anomalous Spectral Shift of Near- and Far-Field Plasmonic Resonances in Nanogaps.
in ACS photonics
Mahajan S
(2010)
Raman and SERS spectroscopy of cucurbit[n]urils.
in Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Mertens J
(2013)
Controlling subnanometer gaps in plasmonic dimers using graphene.
in Nano letters
Mertens J
(2014)
Excitons in a mirror: Formation of "optical bilayers" using MoS2 monolayers on gold substrates
in Applied Physics Letters
Ryan ST
(2015)
Energy and Electron Transfer Dynamics within a Series of Perylene Diimide/Cyclophane Systems.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Ryan ST
(2016)
A Dynamic and Responsive Host in Action: Light-Controlled Molecular Encapsulation.
in Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
Salmon AR
(2016)
Monitoring Early-Stage Nanoparticle Assembly in Microdroplets by Optical Spectroscopy and SERS.
in Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Sanders A
(2015)
Facile Fabrication of Spherical Nanoparticle-Tipped AFM Probes for Plasmonic Applications.
in Particle & particle systems characterization : measurement and description of particle properties and behavior in powders and other disperse systems
Description | We have shown how a rigid molecule can glue together gold nanoparticles with precise sub-nanometre gaps, to confine light in tiny volumes. This concentration allows a host of new properties, including sensing small molecules at very low concentration. |
Exploitation Route | Yes, and we are exploring these with medical researchers, and companies. |
Sectors | Chemicals Environment Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
URL | http://www.np.phy.cam.ac.uk/publications |
Description | We have developed new technologies for sensing. These have been patented and we are developing biomedical applications, and working with companies. We are working on the detection of neurotransmittters and other hormones in urine, and scaling the cost of the detection technology to the level it can be used for long periods in the home. This would transform many issues in dosaging pychiatric drugs, such as anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, and drug dosage compliance, and our biomedical partners are very excited. Further development work is in progress. |
First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
Sector | Chemicals,Environment,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Societal Economic |
Title | Research data supporting: Revealing Nanostructures through Plasmon Polarimetry |
Description | Polarized optical dark-?eld spectroscopy is shown to be a versatile noninvasive probe of plasmonic structures that trap light to the nanoscale. Clear spectral polarization splittings are found to be directly related to the asymmetric morphology of nanocavities formed between faceted gold nanoparticles and an underlying gold substrate. Both experiment and simulation show the in?uence of geometry on the coupled system, with spectral shifts ?? = 3 nm from single atoms. Analytical models allow us to identify the split resonances as transverse cavity modes, tightly con?ned to the nanogap. The direct correlation of resonance splitting with atomistic morphology allows mapping of subnanometre structures, which is crucial for progress in extreme nano-optics involving chemistry, nanophotonics, and quantum devices. Here are the dataset provided that contain all the information of the 4 figures of the article showing experimental as well as theoretical polarization dependent dark-field scattering of NPoM structures. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Company Name | Base4 |
Description | Base4 has developed nanopore technology that enables single molecule analysis, pathogen detection and DNA sequencing. |
Year Established | 2007 |
Impact | second tranche of funding, having hit milestones |
Website | http://www.base4.co.uk |
Description | Naked Scientist interview |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | interview on our work recorded with Naked Scientist |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | SET for Parliment |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Laura Brooks represented our work at SET in Parliment, won 2nd prize |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Science Society talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Talk for the Cambridge University Science Society |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Stoner lecture, Leeds |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | JJB gave the Stoner lecture on translating research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | exibit in Cambridge Science Museum |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | built polymer opals exhibit as part of Cambridge Science Museum display |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |