Hybrid laser-activatable gold nanorods-loaded hydrogels for photothermal applications

Gold nanorods (GNRs) show enhanced absorption in the near infrared (NIR) region and can be conveniently employed for selective conversion of light into heat. We have succeeded in fabricating hybrid GNRs-polysaccharides composites in the form of semi-solid formulations, films or hydrogels, with good biocompatibility, enhanced stabilization in physiological environment and under laser irradiation and high versatility. Thanks to these properties, these materials are good candidates for applications in many biomedical methodologies including laser-mediated tissue repair and drug delivery. The present results are encouraging toward the development of a novel minimally-invasive technology based on the introduction of bioinspired nanoplasmonic materials into photothermal applications.