An organic polymer scaffold has now been developed that can capture and release functionalized inorganic nanoparticles by the threading and de-threading of pseudorotaxane linkages. The capture–release cycles are reversible and programmable both chemically and electrochemically. In mixtures of different nanoparticles, the scaffold can capture one type selectively — thus acting as a selective nanoparticle ‘sponge’.
- Rafal Klajn
- Mark A. Olson
- Bartosz A. Grzybowski