This dissertation is comprised of four chapters describing the unique phenomena exhibited by materials when confined to nanoscale sizes. Recent advances in nanomaterial fabrication methods are utilized in an effort to further improve the capabilities of modern sensing devices and material property enhancement.
Chapter 1 provides a background of nanomaterials and explains why they display such unique properties unobserved on the macroscale. An examination is also conducted regarding the various techniques used to study these incredibly small materials.
Chapter 2 describes the research conducted surrounding polymer nanoinfusion, a new method of creating nanocomposite materials. Polymer nanoinfusion is a process of facilitating nanoparticle formation within the free volume in situ of crystalline polymer matrices. A study is designed to learn more of how this process occurs in order to further improve the overall material properties observed.
Chapter 3 investigates nanosphere lithography as an inexpensive alternative to current nanohole array fabrication methods. This chapter also describes information gathered regarding the use of nanohole arrays as a surface plasmon enhanced sensing medium in an effort to develop a low-cost sensing device requiring no external power source using sunlight as a source of light and visible property changes as means of detection.
Chapter 4 discusses the future directions for research projects involving polymer nanoinfusion and nanohole array sensing in order to fully take advantage of what they are capable of contributing to the scientific community.