Preparation of nanometer-sized hollow particles by photochemical degradation of polysilane shell cross-linked micelles and reversible encapsulation of guest molecules

Shell crosslinked micelles (SCM) were prepared from diblock copolymers of polysilanes and poly(methacrylic acid). The polysilane core was surrounded by the crosslinked shell of poly(methacrylic acid). Hollow particles called nanocages were observed. The large size of the micelles could not be explained by a simple core-shell structure. A continuous blue shift in the absorption maximum was observed during photoirradiation.