Polymer-immobilized nanoparticles

We review methods to prepare polymer-immobilized nanoparticles through a plethora of strategies in view of developing systems for separation, sensing, extraction and catalysis. The emphasis is on methods to provide (i) polymer brushes and grafts; (ii) monoliths and porous polymer systems; (iii) natural polymers and (iv) conjugated polymers as platforms for anchoring nanoparticles. The latter range from soft biomacromolecular species (proteins, DNA) to metallic, C60, semiconductor and oxide nanoparticles; they can be attached through electrostatic interactions or covalent bonding. It is very clear that physicochemical properties of polymers (e.g. sensing and separation) are enhanced by anchored nanoparticles, while polymers provide excellent platforms for dispersing nanoparticles for e.g. high catalytic performances. We thus anticipate that the synergetic role of polymeric supports and anchored particles will increasingly be exploited in view of designing unique hybrid systems with unprecedented properties.