We present a process to create flexible 2D superlattices of nanoparticles, self-assembled into discrete and long-range ordered clusters. The process is readily scalable and grants access to mechano-responsive nanostructures on square centimeter areas. The elastic properties of the support allow for post-assembly tailoring of the lattice periodicity. The corresponding change in collective lattice coupling results in a gradual shift of the extinction maximum upon mechanical strain. Our results give a proof-of-principle for tunable plasmonics by mechano-responsive nanostructures.

This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness under the Maria de Maeztu Units of Excellence Programme - MDM-2016-0618 and by the Basque Government in the Elkartek program 2018/19. C.K. acknowledges funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 799393 (NANOBIOME).

Peer reviewed