Formation of noble metal nanoparticles within a polymeric matrix: nanoparticle features and overall morphologies

Colloidal noble metal nanoparticles dispersed within a polymeric, protective matrix and exhibiting tailored nanoparticle features are of growing technological interest. Such nanoparticle features include the nanoparticle size, size distribution, shape, and morphology. This essay describes some options to influence these by the variation of several parameters, such as the metal precursor type, the preparation method and conditions, and the protective polymer. Further variability of these metal-polymer systems is provided by the option to modify the overall morphology, that is, the additional tailoring of the location and distribution of the metal nanoparticles within the polymer matrix. Some examples based on block copolymer micelle systems are described.