Glucose-mediated catalysis of Au nanoparticles in microgels

Abstract

The catalytic activity of Au nanoparticles in phenylboronic acid-containing polymer microgels can be tuned through the swelling–deswelling transition of the microgels in response to changes in glucose concentration. Upon adding glucose, the model catalytic reduction of hydrophilic 4-nitrophenol is accelerated, while the reduction of relatively more hydrophobic nitrobenzene slows down.