Spatially Controlled Occlusion of Polymer‐Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles within ZnO

Does charge really matter?: Non‐ionic poly(glycerol monomethacrylate)₇₀‐stabilized gold nanoparticles (G₇₀‐AuNPs) can be occluded within ZnO crystals at remarkably high levels (up to ≈20 % by mass) and with spatial control during in situ growth of ZnO crystals in aqueous solution. This illustrates a straightforward yet efficient route for the localized occlusion of nanoparticles within host inorganic crystals.

Abstract

In principle, incorporating nanoparticles into growing crystals offers an attractive and highly convenient route for the production of a wide range of novel nanocomposites. Herein we describe an efficient aqueous route that enables the spatially controlled occlusion of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) within ZnO crystals at up to 20 % by mass. Depending on the precise synthesis protocol, these AuNPs can be (i) solely located within a central region, (ii) uniformly distributed throughout the ZnO host crystal or (iii) confined to a surface layer. Remarkably, such efficient occlusion is mediated by a non‐ionic water‐soluble polymer, poly(glycerol monomethacrylate)₇₀ (G₇₀), which is chemically grafted to the AuNPs; pendent cis‐diol side groups on this steric stabilizer bind Zn²⁺ cations, which promotes nanoparticle interaction with the growing ZnO crystals. Finally, uniform occlusion of G₇₀‐AuNPs within this inorganic host leads to faster UV‐induced photodegradation of a model dye.

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