New frontiers in hybrid materials: noble metal nanoparticles--supramolecular gel systems.

The last decade has witnessed an increasing interest in the development of hybrid materials with novel properties. Noble metal NPs-gel materials represent a new class of hybrid composites, envisaged by many to have great potential for technological applications, as a consequence of the beneficial integration of the properties of both the NPs and the gelling compounds. This review article provides an up-to-date account of the most interesting and inspiring works published in the field, especially focusing on their preparation and characterization. Some examples of practical uses of such intriguing materials are also described.