Gold nanorods@metal-organic framework core-shell nanostructure as contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging and its biocompatibility

摘要

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), one kind of metal-organic frameworks, has attracted much attention in biomedicine applications. In this manuscript, a novel gold nanorods@ zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (Au NR@ZIF-8) core-shell nanostructure has been successfully prepared via a facile step-bystep route. The phase, structure, morphology, and surface properties of the obtained core-shell nanostructure were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, Zeta, and FTIR analysis. The core-shell nanostructure showed good photothermal performances and photoacoustic (PA) imaging capability resulting from Au NR. The coated metal-organic framework ZIF-8 shell made the nanostructure easily to be modified for further bioapplications. The MTT assay demonstrated that the nanostructure possessed low cell cytotoxicity and had potential biomedical applications. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.