Thermoswitchable Electronic Properties of a Gold Nanoparticle/Hydrogel Composite

Abstract

Abstract Summary: A well‐dispersed gold nanoparticle/poly( N ‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) hydrogel nanocomposite with thermoswitchable electrical properties is prepared by the copolymerization of functional Au nanoparticles with N ‐isopropylacrylamide. It is found that the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite changes by two orders of magnitude at moderate temperature ( T tran ) upon temperature stimuli. The change of electrical properties is reversible during a heating and cooling cycle. Schematic illustration of the mechanism of the thermo‐switchable electronic properties of the Au nanoparticle/PNIPAm composite. magnified image Schematic illustration of the mechanism of the thermo‐switchable electronic properties of the Au nanoparticle/PNIPAm composite.