Fabrication of Two-Dimensional Assemblies of Ag Nanoparticles and Nanocavities in Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Resin

Silver nanoparticles, self-assembled in two-dimensional arrays on quartz and silicon surfaces, were coated with poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). After peeling off the surface, resin films contained embedded nanoparticles in their original arrangement. Films with nanoparticles are transparent, flexible, and mechanically stable. The embedded nanoparticles were etched away, producing nanocavities in PDMS. The described method can be used to produce highly robust assemblies of metal, semiconductor, and dielectric nanoparticles on flexible substrates.