Anisotropic assembly of gold nanorods assisted by selective ion recognition of surface-anchored crown ether derivatives.

Gold nanorods (NRs) mixed with crown ether derivatives exhibited the efficient and selective recognition of Na+ and K+ ions, which were detected by localized surface plasmon absorption in response to dispersed and aggregated gold NRs. Furthermore, in the aggregates preferential end-to-end or side-to-side assembly of NRs was observed which was dependent on the additive concentration.