Ligand-mediated self-assembly of polymer-enveloped gold nanoparticle chains and networks.

We demonstrate a universal approach to assemble gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) into ordered robust nanostructures. Colloidal AuNPs are partially coated by thiol-containing ligands and then destabilised into anisotropic superstructures. In situ polymerization of the surface attached ligands produces enveloped nanoparticle networks with retained nanoplasmonic properties and enhanced stability.