Red light-triggerable nanohybrids of graphene oxide, gold nanoparticles and thermo-responsive polymers for combined photothermia and drug release effects

Abstract

The development of multifunctional nanohybrid systems for combined photo-induced hyperthermia and drug release is a challenging topic in the research of advanced materials for application in the biomedical field. Here, we report the first example of a three-component red-light-responsive nanosystem consisting of graphene oxide, gold nanoparticles and poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (GO–Au–PNM). The GO–Au–PNM nanostructures were characterized by spectroscopic techniques and atomic force microscopy. They exhibited photothermal conversion effects at various wavelengths, lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behaviour, and curcumin (Curc) loading capacity. The formation of GO–Au–PNM/Curc adducts and photothermally controlled drug release, triggered by red-light excitation (680 nm), were demonstrated using spectroscopic techniques. Drug–polymer interaction and drug–release mechanism were well supported by modelling simulation calculations. The cellular uptake of GO–Au–PNM/Curc was imaged by confocal laser scanning microscopy. In vitro experiments revealed the excellent biocompatibility of the GO–Au–PNM that did not affect the viability of human cells.