relation: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/20161/
title: Manipulation and Modification of Nanoparticles through Mechanical Deformation
creator: Smith, Brandon
description: Nanoparticles are a unique class of materials that exhibit size and shape dependent properties. The goal in this current work is to take advantage of this attribute of nanoparticles through mechanical deformation. Our approach is to use a stimuli responsive template to bend anisotropic gold nanoparticle. This approach will entail the use of a silica nanoparticle core from which polyNIPAM, a polymer that exhibits a lower critical solution temperature, will be grown. Then through the use of an avidin-biotin interaction a gold nanoparticle will be attached to the surface. When heated above 32°C the polyNIPAM shell will shrink causing a mechanical defect in the anisotropic nanoparticle as it bends. This approach to deformation will be a high throughput technique that will allow for many anisotropic nanoparticles to be bent at the same time. The induced mechanical defect has potential to change the physical and chemical properties of the nanoparticle. The induced defect site by definition should have a higher chemical reactivity due to the straining of bonds at that point on the particle. If this holds true then we can take advantage of this higher chemical reactivity and make new bifunctional nanoparticles.
date: 2014-01-28
type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
type: PeerReviewed
format: application/pdf
language: en
identifier: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/20161/4/final_masterthesis_forsubmission_BHS.pdf
identifier:   Smith, Brandon  (2014) Manipulation and Modification of Nanoparticles through Mechanical Deformation.  Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.    (Unpublished)