Synthesis and self-assembly of one-dimensional sub-10 nm Ag nanoparticles with cyclodextrin

A facile and effective method to produce sub-10 nm Ag nanoparticles in a water solution is reported. Stabilization of the nanoparticles was achieved by hydrophobic interactions with the apolar primary faces of alpha-CD. In addition, hydrogen-bonding interactions between the exposed secondary -OH groups facilitated the threading of neighboring CDs, leading to the self-assembly of the Ag nanoparticles into 1-D pearl necklace arrays. The preparation of such metal nanoparticles unravels possibilities for the assembly of nanoparticles in 2- and 3-D patterns.