Block-copolymer derived complex nanowires for nanoplasmonics

We aim at exploiting the plethora of microdomain structures into which block copolymers (BCPs) self-assemble under 2D confinement for the design of complex plasmonic nanowires. Au and Ag replicas of selected morphology types, including helices as well as combinations of continuous and small dispersed domains of the same component, will be prepared by hierarchical templating in nanoporous anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) hard templates. Strategies to rationally adjust the handedness of helical and therefore chiral structural motifs will be evaluated. Optical tuning of the plasmon resonance wavelength will be carried out by modification of the AAO hard template/BCP soft template systems and by alloying. The plasmonic properties of the aligned nanowires incorporated in a three-dimensional membrane configuration (e.g., localized/propagating modes, circular dichroism) will be studied with specific emphasis on anisotropic interactions with polarized light. The nanoengineering of plasmonic BCP/metal nanowires will eventually be combined with light-harvesting materials capable of two-photon absorption to create nanowire-based configurations for up-conversion of light.