Proximity effects in self-organized binary particle-block copolymer blends

Dependent on the surface chemistry of gold nanocrystals of equal metal core size, two morphological types of self-organized block copolymer-particle blends are observed: (1) the segregation of the nanocrystals to the interfacial areas or (2) the preferential uniform distribution within one of the respective polymer domains. The confinement of the nanocrystals to the narrow interfacial regions of the microstructure in type one blends results in high local particle filling fractions and gives rise to electromagnetic coupling upon light irradiation, accompanied by a pronounced increase in absorbance.