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Synthesis and Characterization of Tunable and Highly Transparent Thick Layers of Nanocomposites Based on Methacrylates and Silica Nanoparticles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Giuseppina Simone ,
Gerardo Perozziello ,
Vincenzo Tagliaferri  and
Nicolas Szita
Giuseppina Simone
Affiliation:
Technical University of Denmark, Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Ørsteds Plads, Kgs. Lyngby, 2800, Denmark
Gerardo Perozziello
Affiliation:
[email protected], Technical University of Denmark, Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Ørsteds Plads, Kgs. Lyngby, 2800, Denmark
Vincenzo Tagliaferri
Affiliation:
[email protected], University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rome, 00173, Italy
Nicolas Szita
Affiliation:
[email protected], Technical University of Denmark, Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Ørsteds Plads, Kgs. Lyngby, 2800, Denmark
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Abstract

We present a nanocomposite material based on functionalized silica nanoparticles in a methacrylate matrix. The nanocomposite material is synthesized without addition of a co-solvent, which enables the spin-coating of thick and defect-free layers of several tens of micrometers with smooth surfaces. SEM analysis indicates uniform distribution of the nanoparticles in the methacrylate matrix, and pinhole-free surfaces suitable for applications in optics. For optical characterization, the refractive index of the material for different silica concentrations is reported, and propagation losses in the UV/VIS range discussed. The tuning of the refractive indices can be applied towards the realization of low-loss passive optical waveguides. As a first step towards this goal, the processibility of the nanocomposite material for microfluidic applications, and the realization of a planar optical waveguide are demonstrated.

Keywords

compositeoptical propertiesnanoscale
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 951: Symposium E – Nanofunctional Materials, Nanostructures and Novel Devices for Biological and Chemical Detection , 2006 , 0951-E03-23
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2007

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References

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