Issue 10, 2020

Interfacial engineering of gold nanoclusters for biomedical applications

Abstract

Ultrasmall gold nanoclusters (Au NCs), with a particle size of ∼1 nm, have recently emerged as a promising class of nanoparticles, due to their well-defined molecular formulae and structures, unique physicochemical properties (e.g., optical absorption and photoluminescence), facile surface functionalization, and good biocompatibility. To explore the therapeutic potentials of these Au NCs, it is important not only to understand the interface between the NC surface and biological environment, but also to achieve desired biological functionalities via rational interfacial engineering. In this review article, we first describe the important biological considerations of Au NCs in their design for biomedical applications. We then aim to demonstrate diverse functionalization strategies of Au NCs to improve their physicochemical and biological properties. In the last section, we provide a detailed discussion on the applications of surface-engineered Au NCs in the fields of bioimaging, radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and antibacterial therapy, highlighting the important contributions of interfacial engineering of Au NCs to their biomedical applications.

Graphical abstract: Interfacial engineering of gold nanoclusters for biomedical applications

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
19 mai 2020
Accepted
16 juil. 2020
First published
16 juil. 2020

Mater. Horiz., 2020,7, 2596-2618

Interfacial engineering of gold nanoclusters for biomedical applications

Y. Genji Srinivasulu, Q. Yao, N. Goswami and J. Xie, Mater. Horiz., 2020, 7, 2596 DOI: 10.1039/D0MH00827C

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