Stereocomplex Nanocomposite Switch Based on Dynamic Helical Polymer-Gold and Silver Nanoparticle Hybrid Materials

Controlled ON/OFF stereocomplexation of dynamic helical polymer-metal nanoparticle nanocomposites─poly(phenylacetylene)-MNP nanocomposites (M = Au or Ag)─is presented. These novel hybrid materials can be found either as well-dispersed metal nanoparticles (MNPs) (stereocomplex OFF) fiber-like aggregates ON) with the distributed along material. A stereocomplex-MNP nanocomposite is formed by interaction two complementary and enantiomeric polymer-MNP [Poly-(R)-1-M1NPs/poly(S)-1-M2NPs (M1 M2 M1 ≠ M2; M Au, Ag)]. Interestingly, using polymers, i.e., poly(phenylacetylene)s (PPAs), coating agents nanoparticles, it possible to tune secondary structure polymer─elongation and/or compression─a fact that trigger formation/disruption stereocomplex. Moreover, these controlled in a reversible way (ON/OFF) playing supramolecular interactions keep helices together, such hydrogen bonds.