Homogeneously dispersed states of the modified gold nanoparticles were obtained in the hydrogel with the interaction of the imidazolium units tethered to both the nanoparticle surfaces and the side chains of the networks. Initially, by swelling and shrinking the hydrogels, it was found that the absorption properties can be changed. Next, by using the photo-responsive mono-carboxylate linker, we observed the photo-triggered modulation of the absorption properties of the hydrogels. These results can be explained by the change of the interparticle distances of the nanoparticles in the hydrogel matrices.
- Kazuo Tanaka
- Kensuke Naka
- Yoshiki Chujo