Multilayer assemblies of silica-encapsulated gold nanoparticles on decomposable colloid templates

Core-shell particles with tailored optical properties are obtained via mani pulation of the number of Au@SiO2 nanoparticle layers deposited onto larger polymer spheres. The surface characteristics of silica, which surrounds th e gold nanoparticles, are exploited to achieve a dense and uniform nanopart icle coating. The laver-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly technique yet again pr oves to be a worthy asset for the preparation of these novel metal-based co re-shell and hollow colloids (see Figure).