Sub-micron scale patterning of fluorescent silver nanoclusters using low-power laser

Puskal Kunwar*, Jukka Hassinen, Godofredo Bautista, Robin H A Ras, Juha Toivonen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)
190 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Noble metal nanoclusters are ultrasmall nanomaterials with tunable properties and huge application potential; however, retaining their enhanced functionality is difficult as they readily lose their properties without stabilization. Here, we demonstrate a facile synthesis of highly photostable silver nanoclusters in a polymer thin film using visible light photoreduction. Furthermore, the different stages of the nanocluster formation are investigated in detail using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. A cost-effective fabrication of photostable micron-sized fluorescent silver nanocluster barcode is demonstrated in silver-impregnated polymer films using a low-power continuous-wave laser diode. It is shown that a laser power of as low as 0.75 mW is enough to write fluorescent structures, corresponding to the specifications of a commercially available laser pointer. The as-formed nanocluster-containing microstructures can be useful in direct labeling applications such as authenticity marking and fluorescent labeling.

Original languageEnglish
Article number23998
Pages (from-to)1-6
JournalScientific Reports
Volume6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Apr 2016
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

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