Abstract
Metal nanoparticles are established tools for biomedical applications due to their unique optical pro-
perties, primarily attributed to localized surface plasmon resonances. They show distinct optical charac-
teristics, such as high extinction cross-sections and resonances at specific wavelengths, which are
tunable across the wavelength spectrum by modifying the nanoparticle geometry. These attributes make
metal nanoparticles highly valuable for sensing and imaging in biology and medicine. However, their
widespread adoption is hindered due to challenges in consistent and accurate nanoparticle fabrication
and functionality as well as due to nanotoxicological concerns, including cell damage, DNA damage, and
unregulated cell signaling. In this study, we present a fabrication approach using nanoimprint lithography
in combination with thin film deposition which yields highly homogenous nanoparticles in size, shape
and optical properties with standard deviations of the main geometry parameters of less than 5% batch-
to-batch variation. The measured optical properties closely match performed simulations, indicating that
pre-experimental modelling can effectively guide the design of nanoparticles with tailored optical pro-
perties. Our approach also enables nanoparticle transfer to solution. Particularly, we show that the surface
coating with a PEG polymer shell ensures stable dispersions in buffer solutions and complex cell media
for at least 7 days. Furthermore, our in vitro experiments demonstrate that these nanoparticles are interna-
lized by cells via endocytosis, exhibit good biocompatibility, and show minor cytotoxicity, as evidenced by
high cell viability. In the future, our high-precision nanoparticle fabrication method together with tunable
surface plasmon resonance and reduced nanotoxicity will offer the possibility to replace conventional
nanomaterials for biomedical applications that make use of an optical response at precise wavelengths.
This includes the use of the nanoparticles as contrast agents for imaging, as probes for targeted photo-
thermal cancer therapy, as carriers for controlled drug delivery, or as probes for sensing applications
based on optical detection principles.
perties, primarily attributed to localized surface plasmon resonances. They show distinct optical charac-
teristics, such as high extinction cross-sections and resonances at specific wavelengths, which are
tunable across the wavelength spectrum by modifying the nanoparticle geometry. These attributes make
metal nanoparticles highly valuable for sensing and imaging in biology and medicine. However, their
widespread adoption is hindered due to challenges in consistent and accurate nanoparticle fabrication
and functionality as well as due to nanotoxicological concerns, including cell damage, DNA damage, and
unregulated cell signaling. In this study, we present a fabrication approach using nanoimprint lithography
in combination with thin film deposition which yields highly homogenous nanoparticles in size, shape
and optical properties with standard deviations of the main geometry parameters of less than 5% batch-
to-batch variation. The measured optical properties closely match performed simulations, indicating that
pre-experimental modelling can effectively guide the design of nanoparticles with tailored optical pro-
perties. Our approach also enables nanoparticle transfer to solution. Particularly, we show that the surface
coating with a PEG polymer shell ensures stable dispersions in buffer solutions and complex cell media
for at least 7 days. Furthermore, our in vitro experiments demonstrate that these nanoparticles are interna-
lized by cells via endocytosis, exhibit good biocompatibility, and show minor cytotoxicity, as evidenced by
high cell viability. In the future, our high-precision nanoparticle fabrication method together with tunable
surface plasmon resonance and reduced nanotoxicity will offer the possibility to replace conventional
nanomaterials for biomedical applications that make use of an optical response at precise wavelengths.
This includes the use of the nanoparticles as contrast agents for imaging, as probes for targeted photo-
thermal cancer therapy, as carriers for controlled drug delivery, or as probes for sensing applications
based on optical detection principles.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 4423-4438 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Nanoscale |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Jan 2025 |
Research Field
- Molecular Diagnostics
