| Abstract
| - Formation of core−shell poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL) single-molecule nanostructures due tointeraction of PVCL with metal ions was studied using transmission electron microscopy, 13C NMR, andlight scattering. This study demonstrates that addition of CoCl2 to PVCL in its globular conformationyields unimolecular core−shell polymer particles with the core decorated with Co(II) ions. The crucialcondition for formation of well-defined unimolecular nanostructures is the presence of stable globularaggregates in aqueous solution. Moreover, the metal ions should have a sufficiently high coordinationnumber (higher than 2) to provide a cross-linking and stabilization of the core.
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