Necklace-like noble-metal hollow nanoparticle chains: Synthesis and tunable optical properties

Tunable fabrication of noble-metal hollow nanoparticle chains (HNPCs) is achieved by a strategy that exploits the variation of an external applied magnetic field during synthesis (see figure). The magnitude of the field has a strong effect on the nanoparticles assembly, ranging from disperse to chainlike. The length and the optical properties of the HNPCs can be tuned, and such a synthesis may provide enhanced functionality for applications such as drug delivery or catalysis.