Mechanical Nanosprings: Induced Coiling and Uncoiling of Ultrathin Au Nanowires

Xu J; Wang H; Liu CC; Yang YM; Chen T; Wang YW; Wang F; Liu XG; Xing BG; Chen HY

Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.132, No.34, 11920-11922, 2010

Xu J, Wang H, Liu CC, Yang YM, Chen T, Wang YW, Wang F, Liu XG, Xing BG, Chen HY

We report the controllable coiling of colloidal gold nanowires induced by the contraction of their polymer shells. The mechanical energy stored in this process can be released upon removal or swelling of the polymer shells.