Fig. 1 Schematic illustration for the fabrication of Ag@SHNPs

Fig. 2 (a) Hydrodynamic diameter distributions of PS89-b- PAA16 micelles and SHNPs, and (b) hydrodynamic diameter distributions of SHNPs prepared with different amounts of MPTMS (100, 150, 200 μL)

Fig. 3 TEM images of SHNPs prepared with different amounts of MPTMS (a, d) 100 μL; (b, e) 150 μL; (c, f) 200 μL

Fig. 4 (a) Standard curve of thiol groups with inset showing the reaction between Ellman’s agent and thiol groups, and (b) UV-Vis spectra of SHNPs mixed with Ellman’s agent

Fig. 5 TEM images of Ag@SHNPs

Fig. 6 SEM images (a, b) and energy-dispersive spectra (c, d) of Ag@SHNPs and Ag@SHNPs with 4-MBA

Fig. 7 (a) Hydrodynamic diameter distributions and (b) histogram of Zeta potentials of SHNPs, SHNPs with 4-MBA, Ag@SHNPs, Ag@SHNPs with 4-MBA, (c) FT-IR spectra of CMs, SHNPs, Ag@SHNPs, and (d) UV-Vis spectra of Ag@SHNPs, Ag@SHNPs with 4-MBA

Fig. 8 XRD pattern of Ag@SHNPs

Fig. 9 (a) Hydrodynamic diameters of CMs, SHNPs, and Ag@SHNPs in water against dilution, and (b) hydrodynamic diameters of Ag@SHNPs dispersed in RPMI 1640 medium and DMEM medium in 7 d Colorful figures are available on website

Fig. 10 CCK-8 cell viabilities of SMMC-7721, NIH-3T3, MEF, and HaCaT cells incubated with different Ag concentrations of (a) Ag@SHNPs and (b) Ag@SHNPs with 4-MBA for 24 h Colorful figures are available on website

Fig. 11 Raman spectra of Ag@SHNPs, Ag@SHNPs with 4-MBA and pure 4-MBA solution under 532 nm excitation

Fig. 12 Raman spectra of SMMC-7721 cells incubated with Ag@SHNPs with 4-MBA for 24 h