Multifunctional Photonic Nanomaterials for Diagnostic, Therapeutic, and Theranostic Applications

Abstract

The last decade has seen dramatic progress in the principle, design, and fabrication of photonic nanomaterials with various optical properties and functionalities. Light-emitting and light-responsive nanomaterials, such as semiconductor quantum dots, plasmonic metal nanoparticles, organic carbon, and polymeric nanomaterials, offer promising approaches to low-cost and effective diagnostic, therapeutic, and theranostic applications. Reasonable endeavors have begun to translate some of the promising photonic nanomaterials to the clinic. Here, current research on the state-of-the-art and emerging photonic nanomaterials for diverse biomedical applications is reviewed, and the remaining challenges and future perspectives are discussed.

Metal Nanoclusters: New Paradigm in Catalysis for Water Splitting, Solar and Chemical Energy Conversion

“…[131] Hutchison and co-workersa lso successfully synthesized Au 11 NCs through the ligand exchange of larger phosphine-stabilized Au NCsb ys imply stirring them in the presence of excess organic-phase-solublet hiol ligands. [132] After the earlier reports of Au 102 ,A u 38 ,a nd Au 25 NCs with different geometry,i tw as thought that NCs with fcc geometry are not stable at this small size, but Au 36 (SPh-tBu) 24 with af cctype Au core could be successfully crystalized for the first time. [63] Zeng et al [133] studied the synthesis of Au 28 ,A u 36 ,A u 44 , and Au 52 NCs and their detailed electronic properties.…”

“…It is well known, that GSH can covalently stabilizet he MNCs and can be easily replaced by varioust hiol ligands for the development of reproducible and size-controlled NCs. We recently synthesized and recrystallized the very smallN i 4 clusters for water oxidation while adoptingasimilar strategy like that for Au 38 (PET) 24 .Inthis methodaNi-GSH complex was initially synthesized in acetone followed by reduction with NaBH 4 .T he resulting insoluble particles were dispersed in am ixture of toluene, CH 3 OH, and water in the presence of excessa mount of PET.A fter refluxing at 80 8C, the reaction mixture was stirred overnightf or complete etching of Ni 4 (PET) 8 in the organic phase. [118] It is noteworthy to mention that this was the first synthesis of transition metal NCs with am inimumn umber of core atoms.…”

“…[23] Nanomaterials have triggered considerable interesti nt he last few decades, especially in energy conversion research.T he size-dependent properties of nanomaterials (particles ize 5-100 nm) such as surface-to-volumer atio, magnetic and electronic behavior,a nd SPR warrantt heir potentiala pplication in catalysis, drugd elivery and therapy, and environmental remediation. [24,25] Catalysis, the focus of this Review,r equires ag ood control of particles ize and surfaced efects of the catalytic materials;t his is mainly achieved by preparing materials at the sub-nanoscale ( 2nm).…”

Rejuvenated Photodynamic Therapy for Bacterial Infections

“…Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have been widely investigated for possible biomedicine application because of their good solubility, large surface area, and excellent thermal/chemical stability . Similar to carbon allotrope fullerenes, GQDs are potential candidates to PDAT because of their strong capability to generate ROS by energy or electron transfer to molecular oxygen .…”

Designating Vulnerability of Atherosclerotic Plaques

“…Quantum dots (QDs) are used as contrast and therapeutic agents since they have unique properties including strong fluorescence intensity with excellent light stability, low toxicity, and changing emission wavelength with QD size, ranging from 10 to 100 Å in radius [46]. Therefore, they possess great potential in the fields of biological imaging, molecular markers [47][48][49], and drug delivery [50][51][52]. QDs are useful in tumor detection [53], cardiovascular imaging [54], and cancer targeting [55].…”