title: Sorption of metal ions by poly(ethylene glycol)/β-CD hydrogels leads to gel-embedded metal nanoparticles.
abstract: Inorganic nanoparticles can be embedded within gels by selectively preloading them with suitable molecular precursors followed by reduction or another suitable reaction. Here, we exploit the selective sorption properties of cross-linked β-cyclodextrin/poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels, in analogy with polyurethane foams, to preconcentrate metal salts (HAuCl4 and K2[Co(SCN)4]) and subsequently generate gel-embedded metal nanoparticles (10-50 nm). The nanoparticles are shown to be immobilized within the gel network as a consequence of their large dimensions in comparison to the gel network pore size. We suggest this is a useful approach for the generalized synthesis of hybrid soft-hard nanomaterials.
authors.affiliation: Ilie Murgulescu Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Romanian Academy, 202 Spl. Independentei, Bucharest, 060021, Romania.
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ionita
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marinescu
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ilie
authors.forename: Dan F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Anghel
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chechik