Dynamics of a photothermal self-assembly of plasmon structures in polymer films containing gold and silver precursors

This work is devoted to considering mechanisms that form silver and gold nanoparticles (NPs) in thin (200 μm) cross-linked oligourethane methacrylate (OUM) polymer films impregnated with different precursors of these metals. The investigations are connected with recording the kinetics of variation in the transmission of films under the action of continuous laser radiation with wavelengths of 405 and 532 nm, resulting in the photolysis of precursor molecules. Precursor molecules were introduced into the matrix by the diffusion saturation of films in an ethanol medium or in supercritical carbon dioxide. It was established that the time dependences are determined by the metal type, wavelength, and laser radiation power, as well as by way of precursor impregnation. Two effects connected with laser action on such films were found. One of them corresponds to a jumplike change in transmission of samples with the gold precursor; the second is caused by the formation of dense NP structures in the form of films on the sample surface.