Spatially‐controlled occlusion of polymer‐stabilized gold nanoparticles within ZnO

In principle, incorporating nanoparticles into growing crystals offers an attractive and highly convenient route for the production of a wide range of novel nanocomposites. Herein we describe an efficient aqueous route that enables the spatially controlled occlusion of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) within ZnO crystals at up to 20 % by mass. Depending on the precise synthesis protocol, these AuNPs can be (i) solely located within a central region, (ii) uniformly distributed throughout the ZnO host crystal or (iii) confined to a surface layer. Remarkably, such efficient occlusion is mediated by a non‐ionic water‐soluble polymer, poly(glycerol monomethacrylate)70 (G70), which is chemically grafted to the AuNPs; pendent cis‐diol side groups on this steric stabilizer bind Zn2+ cations, which promotes nanoparticle interaction with the growing ZnO crystals. Finally, uniform occlusion of G70‐AuNPs within this inorganic host leads to faster UV‐induced photodegradation of a model dye.