In recent years gold nanorods (AuNRs) gained popularity within the nanomaterials field also thanks, among the several valuable properties, to the tunability they provide with a two-component surface plasmon resonance (SPR), associated respectively to the Transversal and Longitudinal components of the plasmon. Their biotechnological applications vary from sensors to drug delivery and a strict control over synthetic parameters is always fundamental to ensure reproducibility [1,2]. In this framework we present some case studies from our research showcasing the tunability of the AuNRs system as well as the versatility of its applications. Starting with the preparation and characterization of the pristine gold nanorods (Fig. 1), as well as their surface functionalization with hydrophilic moieties such as L-cysteine and the loading of different drugs such as a Cu(I)-complex with antitumoral and antiviral activity ([Cu(PTA)4]PF6) and a Tc-based radiopharmaceutical, the 99mTc-sestamibi (Fig. 2), which is widely used for diagnostic purposes. Here we present their theragnostic applications, exploiting the synergic behaviour they show in presence of the gold nanorods’ surface to locally damage tumor cells [3]. AuNRs functionalized with L-cysteine (AuNRs-L-cys) can be further modified to bond fluorescent chromophores such as fluoresceine isothiocyanate. A complete characterization of these systems was obtained using the complementary spectroscopic and microscopy techniques Uv-Vis-NIR, DLS, SR-XPS, NEXAFS, SR-XAS, FE-SEM and TEM.
Gold Nanorods: Synthesis, Functionalization and Characterization for Drug Delivery Applications
Santini C.;Pellei M.;
2024-01-01
Abstract
In recent years gold nanorods (AuNRs) gained popularity within the nanomaterials field also thanks, among the several valuable properties, to the tunability they provide with a two-component surface plasmon resonance (SPR), associated respectively to the Transversal and Longitudinal components of the plasmon. Their biotechnological applications vary from sensors to drug delivery and a strict control over synthetic parameters is always fundamental to ensure reproducibility [1,2]. In this framework we present some case studies from our research showcasing the tunability of the AuNRs system as well as the versatility of its applications. Starting with the preparation and characterization of the pristine gold nanorods (Fig. 1), as well as their surface functionalization with hydrophilic moieties such as L-cysteine and the loading of different drugs such as a Cu(I)-complex with antitumoral and antiviral activity ([Cu(PTA)4]PF6) and a Tc-based radiopharmaceutical, the 99mTc-sestamibi (Fig. 2), which is widely used for diagnostic purposes. Here we present their theragnostic applications, exploiting the synergic behaviour they show in presence of the gold nanorods’ surface to locally damage tumor cells [3]. AuNRs functionalized with L-cysteine (AuNRs-L-cys) can be further modified to bond fluorescent chromophores such as fluoresceine isothiocyanate. A complete characterization of these systems was obtained using the complementary spectroscopic and microscopy techniques Uv-Vis-NIR, DLS, SR-XPS, NEXAFS, SR-XAS, FE-SEM and TEM.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
