Gold nanoparticles 1D array as mechanochromic strain sensor

A new strategy to produce easily scalable patterned array of gold nanoparticles on flexible substrate is presented. Aligned gold nanoparticles 1D arrays deposited on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were produced by a combination of water-in-oil self-assembling and lift-off microprinting technique. Morphological and optical properties of the obtained structures were investigated by AFM, absorption and reflectance spectroscopy. The optical response of the structured elastomer in respect to uniaxial deformation was measured in order to assess its suitability as strain sensor.