Preparation of controlled gold nanoparticle aggregates using a dendronization strategy

► A dendronization strategy was used to induce controlled NP aggregation. ► Dendritic ligands lead to stable NP aggregates. ► Nondendritic ligands lead to uncontrolled NP aggregation. ► NP assembly depends on ligand nature and concentration, time, and temperature. ► Stability of dendronized-NP aggregates was attributed to the dendritic architecture.