Biotemplating for Synthesis of Metal Nanorods Used In Infrared Obscuration

In this Phase I SBIR, technology to cost-effectively fabricate infrared absorbing nanorods will be developed. Biologically produced high-aspect ratio templates will be surface modified and subsequently coated with a thin metal shell. The nanorods will have well controlled lengths and diameters that are optimized to have a strong resonance in the long wavelength infrared atmospheric transmission window (8 to 12 micron). A variety of biological candidates will be investigated to identify substrates that have the correct geometry and can be economically produced at large scales. The biologically derived templates will then be coated with a thin and uniform conductive metal shell. The surface of the conductive nanorods will be further modified with coatings that reduce agglomeration and maximize the extinction coefficient during dispersal. Optimized formulations will be provided to the Army for testing.