Planet-satellite nanostructures made to order by RAFT star polymers

The investigation and application of complex nanostructures requires the hierarchical arrangement of distinct domains on a small scale. Herein, we report a method to prepare planet-satellite arrangements using RAFT polymers. Our approach is based on star polymers decorated with trithiocarbonate groups on their outer periphery that attach to gold surfaces and thus provide the polymer with the ability to connect (larger) gold nanoparticle planets with (smaller) gold nanoparticle satellites. By adjusting the molecular weight of the polymeric linker, nanostructures with tailored planet-satellite distances, as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy, are obtained. This strategy offers a straightforward way to prepare gold nanoparticle scaffolds with multiple reactive functionalities at defined distances from the central core.