Celebration of Scholars
Synthesis and Deposition of Silica and Gold Nanoparticles for Sensing Applications
Name:
Yana Astter
Major: Chemistry and Biology
Hometown: Johnsburg, IL
Faculty Sponsor: John Kirk
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: SURE
Funding: SURE, Carthage College Chemistry Department
Name:
Analise Biddle
Major: Chemistry
Hometown: Lombard, IL
Faculty Sponsor: John Kirk
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: SURE
Funding: SURE, Carthage College Chemistry Department
Name:
Spencer Bingham
Major: Chemistry and Theatre
Hometown: Huntley, IL
Faculty Sponsor: John Kirk
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: SURE
Funding: SURE, Carthage College Chemistry Department
Name:
Michelle Regotti
Major: Chemistry and Physics
Hometown: Lockport, IL
Faculty Sponsor: John Kirk
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: SURE
Funding: SURE, Carthage College Chemistry Department
Abstract
Nanotechnology has a variety of applications and is applicable to a wide range of fields including environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and detecting compounds in a laboratory setting. This research presents the development of a sensor composed of gold and silica nanoparticles that will be used for detecting organic compounds in water, as well as silica nanoparticle crystals that can be used for photonics, chemical separations, filtration, and sensing applications. We present our methods of synthesizing gold nanoparticles of a controlled size as well as the development of a crystalline structure composed of gold and silica nanoparticles that serve as the main component of the sensor. Gold nanoparticles have unique optical properties that change depending on which environment they are in while the silica nanoparticles make up the majority of the sensor, providing strength to the structure, and stabilizing the gold nanoparticles. Additionally, the physical properties of pure silica nanoparticle crystals will be analyzed more in-depth. These crystals are typically only loosely held together until treated with high-temperature sintering. New evidence suggests that a well-packed colloidal crystal, in the form of a thin film, can be made resistant to dispersion by adjusting its deposition process. The goal of this work is to form these silica nanoparticle films and compare the effect of vertical evaporative deposition and sintering on its hardness.Submit date: March 20, 2019, 4:27 p.m.