Reduction by the End Groups of Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone): A New and Versatile Route to the Kinetically Controlled Synthesis of Ag Triangular Nanoplates

Polymers are widely used in the chemical synthesis of colloidal nanocrystals, and their roles are generally documented as steric stabilizers or capping agents. In particular, poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) has received special attention because of its high chemical stability, nontoxicity, and excellent solubility in many polar solvents. Although the repeating unit of PVP has been extensively investigated for its coordination capability, the end groups of PVP remain largely unexplored in terms of functionality and reactivity.