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One‐Step Preparation of Biocompatible Gold Nanoplates with Controlled Thickness and Adjustable Optical Properties for Plasmon‐Based Applications
Author(s) -
Ye Sunjie,
Connell Simon D.,
McLaughlan James R.,
Roach Lucien,
Aslam Zabeada,
Chankhunthod Navadecho,
Brown Andy P.,
Brydson Rik,
Bushby Richard J.,
Critchley Kevin,
Coletta P. Louise,
Markham Alexander F.,
Evans Stephen D.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.202003512
Subject(s) - materials science , nanomaterials , nanotechnology , plasmon , surface plasmon resonance , biocompatible material , photothermal therapy , nanoparticle , optoelectronics , medicine , biomedical engineering
The ability to synthesize plasmonic nanomaterials with well‐defined structures and tailorable size is crucial for exploring their potential applications. Gold nanoplates (AuNPLs) exhibit appealing structural and optical properties, yet their applications are limited by difficulties in thickness control. Other challenges include a narrow range of tunability in size and surface plasmon resonance, combined with a synthesis conventionally involving cytotoxic cetyltrimethylammonium (CTA) halide surfactant. Here, a one‐step, high‐yield synthesis of single‐crystalline AuNPLs is developed, based on the combined use of two structure‐directing agents, methyl orange and FeBr 3 , which undergo preferential adsorption onto different crystalline facets of gold. The obtained AuNPLs feature high shape homogeneity that enables mesoscopic self‐assembly, broad‐range tunability of dimensions (controlled thickness from ≈7 to ≈20 nm, accompanied by modulation of the edge length from ≈150 nm to ≈2 µm) and plasmonic properties. These merits, coupled with a preparation free of CTA‐halide surfactants, have facilitated the exploration of various uses, especially in bio‐related areas. For example, they are demonstrated as biocompatible photothermal agents for cell ablation in NIR I and NIR II windows. This work paves the way to the innovative fabrication of anisotropic plasmonic nanomaterials with desired attributes for wide‐ranging practical applications.