Exploring the enhancement of infrared absorption through magnetically guided assembly of gold nanoparticle stabilized ferrofluid emulsion

These data have been produced as part of a research project that aimed to develop a method for the preparation of a magnetically-directed self-assembly of gold pickering ferrofluid emulsion, with the goal of enhancing infrared absorption from the molecular layer. The research was undertaken using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet-visual spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and pattern morphology image analysis. The study found that a regular array of chains are created when using magnetically-directed gold pickering ferrofluid emulsion on the glass substrate. Although discontinuous and containing iron oxide, these chains have been found to increase the infrared absorption of the polyvinyl acetate (PVA) monolayer - in particular the -CH2 band. The interaction between iron oxide and gold nanoparticles, as well as chain thickness/gas, was responsible for an enhanced absorption signal from the monolayer of PVA. This could potentially reduce the cost of such antenna while increasing the infrared absorption.