Seed-like Hollow Nanoparticles by a Dynamic Interfacial-Tension-Controlled Polar Growth Strategy

Hollow nanomaterials have attracted significant interest. However, developing an effective growth mechanism for synthesizing seed-like hollow nanoparticles (SHNPs) with tailored structures still remains challenging. In this study, we developed a dynamic interfacial-tension-controlled polar growth strategy to synthesize SHNPs with a narrow size distribution using a metal-organic coordination compound. The synthesis was performed in an oil-in-water emulsion system comprising disulfiram (DSF) oil nanodroplets and cis-dichlorodiamine platinum-(II) (Cpt) aqueous phases. The DSF nanodroplets exhibited dynamic interfacial tension owing to the gradual consumption of DSF molecules, resulting in the polar growth of DSF nanodroplets from a spherical to anisotropic seed-like morphology. This method produced seed-like hollow nanostructures with tailored morphologies, such as pomegranate, peanut, bean sprout, and pistachio structures and desired lengths. Additionally, we constructed a seed-like nanomotor by loading small platinum (Pt) nanoparticles onto the surface of SHNPs, which exhibit an enhanced diffusion coefficient and exceptional oriented movement in response to the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) fuel.