Gold-Embedded Hollow Silica Nanogolf Balls for Imaging and Photothermal Therapy

Hybrid nanocarriers with multifunctional properties have wide therapeutic and diagnostic applications. We have constructed hollow silica nanogolf balls (HGBs) and gold-embedded hollow Silica nanogolf balls (Au@SiO, HGBs) using the layer-by -layer approach on a symmetric polystyrene (PS) Janus template; the template consists ofsmaller' PS spheres attached to an oppositely chargdd large PS core. 'C Potential measurement supports the electric force-based template assisted synthesis mechanism. Electron microscopy, UV vis, and neat infrared (NIR) spectroscopy show that HGBs or Au@SiO2 HGBs are composed of a porous silica shell with an optional dense layer gold nanoparticles embedded in the silica shell. To visualize their cellular uptake and imaging potential, Au@SiO2 HGBs were loaded with quantum dots (QDs). Confocal fluorescent microscopy and atomic force microscopy imaging show reliable endocytosis of QD-loaded Au@SiO2 HGBs in adherent HeLa cells and circulating red blood cells (RBCs). Surface -enhanced Raman spectroscopy of Au@SiO2 FIGEs in RBC cells show enhanced intensity of the Raman signal specific to the RBcs' membrane specific spectral markers. Au@SiO2 HGBs show localized surface plasmon resonance and heat-induced HeLa cell death in the NIR range. These hybrid golf ball nanocarriers would have broad applications in personalized nanomedidne ranging from in vivo imaging to photothermal therapy.