NANOCOMPOSITES CONTAINING GOLD NANORODS FOR TWO-PHOTON IMAGING, PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY AND DRUG DELIVERY

Abstract

Nanocomposites, in which two or more different nanosized entities arranged in a controlled manner, have been widely investigated in recent years. This nanocomposite combines the properties and advantages of each component, exhibiting multifunctionality or novel properties that are not found in single-component structures. Among various nanocomposites, nanocomposites containing mesoporous silica and gold nanorod are considered as the most highly researched field owing to their novel properties of single-component structures. Gold nanorod is well-known for its large two-photon action cross section (10E4 GM), high two-photon luminescence, large-scale preparation, biocompatibility, chemical inertness and tunable longitudinal plasmon band. Moreover, mesoporous silica nanoparticles possess large surface area, high pore volume, low cytotoxicity and easy surface functionalization. Therefore, this kind of nanocomposite has great potential in various applications. The aim of this study was to prepare this nanocomposite and systematically explore this nanocomposite in two-photon imaging, photodynamic therapy and drug delivery for simultaneous diagnosis and therapy in vitro.