Encapsulation of silver nanoparticles within double‐cylinder‐type copolymer brushes as templates

An encapsulation of silver nanoparticles has been developed based on a template technique. Amphiphilic double‐cylinder‐type copolymer brushes were employed as a single molecule template, utilizing the coordination of Ag + ions with carboxylate groups in the core of the brush. Subsequently, silver nanoparticles ( ca . 7.5 nm in diameter) within the brush template have been prepared by the addition of a chemical reductant, e.g. NaBH 4 . The solution of the resultant nanocylinder composites was a yellow color due to the surface plasmon resonance. These composites were soluble in organic solvents, because the shell of the copolymer brush protected the fabricated silver nanoparticles from aggregation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.