Controlled cross-linking strategy: from hybrid hydrogels to nanoparticle macroscopic aggregates

A controlled cross-linking strategy is reported for producing inorganic–organic hybrid hydrogels with tunable properties from a disulfide-linked core/shell precursor with a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) core and polyethylene glycol (PEG) shells. The strategy also creates a new approach to fabricating macroscopic nanostructured inorganic materials from direct conversion of hybrid hydrogels.