A yolk–shell structured metal–TiO2 nanocomposite was constructed using a facile and versatile method. Due to the dual functions of 3-aminophenol which worked as the template precursor and metal ion coordination agent, metal nanoparticles could disperse well, and the as-prepared yolk–shell Ag–TiO2 nanocomposite showed promising catalytic activity for the reduction of p-nitrophenol.
