BIOAPPLICATIONS OF GOLD AND UPCONVERSION NANOPARTICLES UTILIZING THEIR OPTICAL/THERMAL PROPERTIES

Abstract

Nanoparticles have drawn much attention in bioapplications due to their unique properties in recent years. In particular, gold and upconversion nanoparticles are among the most promising nanoparticles. However, the research in the bioapplications of both gold and upconversion nanoparticles is still at an infant stage and there are still many challenges. The primary objective of this study was to extend the bioapplications of gold and upconversion nanoparticles based on their optical / thermal properties. Two types of gold nanoparticles based colorimetric sensors were designed. On the other hand, a novel thermo-responsive control drug release nanoplatform based on mesoporous silica coated upconversion nanoparticles was developed. Furthermore, a new type of upconversion nanoparticles which could be effectively excited at ~800 nm was synthesized.