A sub 6 nanometer plasmonic gold nanoparticle for pH-responsive near-infrared photothermal cancer therapy

摘要

A small (sub 6 nm hydrodynamic size) and pH-responsive gold nanoparticle photothermal agent is reported, which can respond to changes in pH and form aggregates. The coupled plasmon mode of aggregates can be efficiently exploited for photothermal cancer therapy using longer excitation wavelength.