Polymer composite films with size-selected metal nanoparticles fabricated by cluster beam technique

Abstract

Formation of polymer films with size-selected silver and copper nanoparticles (NPs) is studied. Polymers are prepared by spin coating while NPs are fabricated and deposited utilizing a magnetron sputtering cluster apparatus. The particle embedding into the films is provided by thermal annealing after the deposition. The degree of immersion can be controlled by the annealing temperature and time. Together with control of cluster coverage the described approach represents an efficient method for the synthesis of thin polymer composite layers with either partially or fully embedded metal NPs. Combining electron beam lithography, cluster beam deposition and thermal annealing allows to form ordered arrays of metal NPs on polymer films. Plasticity and flexibility of polymer host and specific properties added by coinage metal NPs open a way for different applications of such composite materials, in particular, for the use of phenomenon of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Unfortunately, it is found that the thermal annealing used in the production process can lead to quenching of plasmonic properties in the case of copper. To solve this problem, it is suggested to treat the samples with ozone prior the annealing that helps to preserve LSRP by the quick formation of thin oxide shell protecting the metallic core against further gradual oxidation under the thermal treatment