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Abstract:
Researchers at Nanoscience Center of University of Jyväskylä in Finland have succeeded in producing short chains and rings of gold nanoparticles with unprecedented precision. They used a special kind of nanoparticles with a well-defined structure and linked them together with molecular bridges. These structures – being practically huge molecules – allow extremely accurate studies of light–matter interaction in metallic nanostructures and plasmonics. This research was funded by The Academy of Finland.

Chains of nanogold – forged with atomic precision

Helsinki, Finland | Posted on September 23rd, 2016

Researchers at Nanoscience Center of University of Jyväskylä in Finland have succeeded in producing short chains and rings of gold nanoparticles with unprecedented precision. They used a special kind of nanoparticles with a well-defined structure and linked them together with molecular bridges. These structures – being practically huge molecules – allow extremely accurate studies of light–matter interaction in metallic nanostructures and plasmonics. This research was funded by The Academy of Finland.

Nanotechnology gives us tools to fabricate nanometer sized particles where only a few hundred metal atoms form their core. New interesting properties emerge in this scale, for example, the light–matter interaction is extremely strong and catalytic activity increased. These properties have led to several applications, such as, chemical sensors and catalysts.

“Synthesis of nanoparticles usually yields a variety of sizes and shapes”, say lecturer Dr Tanja Lahtinen. The approach we use is exceptional in the sense that after purification we get only a single type of a nanoparticle. These nanoparticles have a specified number of each atom and the atoms are organized as a well-defined structure. It is essentially a single huge molecule with a core of gold.
These nanoparticles were linked wit

h molecular bridges forming pairs, chains, and rings of nanoparticles.

“When these kind of nanostructures interact with light, electron clouds of the neighboring metal cores become coupled”, explains researcher Dr Eero Hulkko. The coupling alters significantly the electric field what molecules in between the particles feel.

“Studying nanostructures that are well-defined at the atomic level allows us to combine experimental and computational methods in a seemless way”, continues Dr Lauri Lehtovaara, Research Fellow of the Finnish Academy. We are aiming to understand light–matter interaction in linked metallic nanostructures at the quantum level. Deeper understanding is essential for development of novel plasmonic applications.

The research continues a long-term multidispilinary collaboration at Nanoscience Center of University of Jyväskylä.

“I am very happy that our dedicated efforts on studying monolayer protected clusters and their applications have created an unique multidisiplinary center of excellence which is able to continuously publish high impact science”, says Hannu Häkkinen, an Academy Professor and head of the Nanoscience Center.

In addition to the above persons, Karolina Sokołowska, Dr Tiia-Riikka Tero, Ville Saarnio, Dr Johan Lindgren, and Prof Mika Pettersson contributed to the research. The research was published in the Nanoscale on xx.9.2016. Computational resources were supplied by CSC - IT Center for Science.

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About Suomen Akatemia (Academy of Finland)
The Academy of Finland’s mission is to fund high-quality scientific research, provide expertise in science and science policy, and strengthen the position of science and research. We are an agency within the administrative branch of the Finnish Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.

We work to contribute to the renewal, diversification and increasing internationalisation of Finnish research. Our activities cover the full spectrum of scientific disciplines.

We support and facilitate researcher training and research careers, internationalisation and the application of research results. We are also keen to emphasise the importance of research impact and breakthrough research. We therefore encourage researchers to submit boundary-crossing applications that involve risks but also offer promise and potential for scientifically significant breakthroughs.

Our funding for research amounts to 310 million euros in 2014. Each year, our funding contributes to some 8,000 people’s work at universities and research institutes in Finland.

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Contacts:
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Lauri Lehtovaara

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Academy of Finland Communications
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