Nature Communications (Dec 2023)

Plasmonic metasurfaces of cellulose nanocrystal matrices with quadrants of aligned gold nanorods for photothermal anti-icing

  • Jeongsu Pyeon,
  • Soon Mo Park,
  • Juri Kim,
  • Jeong-Hwan Kim,
  • Yong-Jin Yoon,
  • Dong Ki Yoon,
  • Hyoungsoo Kim

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43511-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
pp. 1 – 14

Abstract

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Abstract Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are intriguing as a matrix for plasmonic metasurfaces made of gold nanorods (GNRs) because of their distinctive properties, including renewability, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and low cost. Nevertheless, it is very difficult to precisely regulate the positioning and orientation of CNCs on the substrate in a consistent pattern. In this study, CNCs and GNRs, which exhibit tunable optical and anti-icing capabilities, are employed to manufacture a uniform plasmonic metasurface using a drop-casting technique. Two physical phenomena—(i) spontaneous and rapid self-dewetting and (ii) evaporation-induced self-assembly—are used to accomplish this. Additionally, we improve the CNC-GNR ink composition and determine the crucial coating parameters necessary to balance the two physical mechanisms in order to produce thin films without coffee rings. The final homogeneous CNC-GNR film has consistent annular ring patterns with plasmonic quadrant hues that are properly aligned, which enhances plasmonic photothermal effects. The CNC-GNR multi-array platform offers above-zero temperatures on a substrate that is subcooled below the freezing point. The current study presents a physicochemical approach for functional nanomaterial-based CNC control.