ABSTRACT
Recent development in nanotechnology brings forth a promising field called nanotheranostics, which integrate imaging and therapy into one. Plasmonic-active gold nanostars (GNS), due to their unique plasmonic property, such as high two-photon photoluminescence and efficient photothermal transduction, have become one of the most exciting nanoplatform in the field of nanotheranostics. Here, a facile plasmon-tunable surfactant-free GNS synthesis method is described followed by computer modeling analysis of their plasmon tuning, as well as demonstrations of their latest optical imaging and photothermal therapeutic applications. With GNS being a novel and powerful theranostic agent, the potential implication includes but not limits to the study of particokinetics, targeted delivery, multimodal imaging, and multifunctional therapy.
