Title: Patterning and encryption using gold nanoparticles

Authors: Jorge Perez-Juste, Paul Mulvaney, Luis M. Liz-Marzan

Addresses: Departamento de Quimica Fisica, Universidade de Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Spain. ' Chemistry School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. ' Departamento de Quimica Fisica, Universidade de Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Spain

Abstract: In this paper, we describe a simple technique for the creation of patterns on different size scales and in a variety of substrates, based on the selective reshaping of Au nanorods into nanospheres. The drastic change in the optical properties of these materials when their shape is modified provides a sensitive and accurate tool for the creation of areas with different colours. Additionally, because the nanorods possess orientation-dependent optical response, the patterns can be selectively encoded or decoded by using polarised light.

Keywords: gold nanoparticles; nanorods; composite materials; micropatterning; surface plasmons; nanotechnology; nanospheres; encryption; optical properties; patterns; encoding; decoding; polarised light; security.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2007.013468

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2007 Vol.4 No.3, pp.215 - 225

Published online: 30 Apr 2007 *

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