The optical properties of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) come mainly dictated by their plasmon band. The plasmon band of anisotropic gold nanoparticles can be set in the NIR range by tailoring the anisotropy of the NPs. Most of the methods to produce NIR absorbing gold nanoparticles rely on challenging synthesis with several steps and/or seed-mediated approaches with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a surfactant. CTAB is the most widely used and convenient surfactant to synthesize Au nanorods and nanoprisms although it is a well-known toxic cationic surfactant.Herein, we present a straightforward one-pot synthetic method produce single-crystalline flat-thin triangular gold nanoprisms using �green� reagents. The edge length can be tuned by adjusting the final concentration/molar ratio of gold salt and reducing agent (sodium thiosulfate). This allows tuning the surface plasmon band of nanoprisms along the NIR range.The biocompatibility and suitability of functional nanoprisms as photothermal agents were studied in cell cultures. Due to their biocompatibility, ease of production, ease of functionalization and remarkable heating features, the nanoprisms discussed herein represent a significant advance in the biocompatibility of nanoparticles and serve as an attractive alternative to those currently in use as plasmonic photothermal agents. Importantly, gold nanoprism are also capable of high resolution visualization of probes under photoacoustic imaging and these can therefore simultaneously deliver anatomical, functional and molecular information with both high resolution and penetration capabilities.Finally, as a proof of concept, these nanoprisms have been applied in the design of a new ultrafast high-sensitivity plasmonic-driven thermal biosensor. This sensor is able to detect cancer markers up to the attomolar range in real patiente samples.

Synthesis and applications of gold nanoprisms

247th National Meeting (2014)

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