Nanoparticle Capping Agent Dynamics and Electron Transfer: Polymer-Gated Oxidation of Silver Nanoparticles

Capping agent-controlled stability of nanoparticles tailors them for different applications, but the associated particle solvent dynamics are poorly understood. Herein, previously unseen capping agent-gated nanopartide redox activity is observed for poly(ethylene glycol)-coated silver nanopartides. This is revealed by stochastic nanopartide stripping, probing one individual nanopartide at a time, from an ensemble of surface-immobilized nanopartides. Thus, new and previously inaccessible understanding is gained on the crucial role of capping agent dynamics on nanopartide reactivity.