Self-assembly of silver nanoparticles in a polymer solvent: formation of a nanochain through nanoscale soldering

By exploiting the orientation of the polymer methoxy polyethylene glycol (MPEG), directional growth of silver particles has been obtained in the presence of ultraviolet irradiation for the first time. MPEG generates free radicals, serves as the reducing agent in presence of ultraviolet irradiation towards the silver ions, and also acts as the template for the silver particles involved in the formation of a silver chain.