Self-reduction and morphology control of gold nanoparticles by dendronized poly(amido amine)s for photothermal therapy

Worm-like carboxylated 3.5 generation dendronized poly(amido amine) (DPG3.5-COOH) was applied to synthesize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), in which process DPG3.5-COOH played the roles of reducing agent and template. The morphology of AuNPs, e.g., nanorods and nanoparticles, could also be controlled by the interior-template function or the exterior-template function of DPG3.5-COOH at different pH values. The obtained AuNPs had low cytotoxicity, effective cellular uptake and strong photothermal therapy capability for HeLa cancer cells. Therefore, the AuNPs prepared using the wormlike dendronized polymer provide a new and effective approach for photothermal therapy.