Inkjet-printed gold nanorods using biocompatible polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer coating for patterned photothermal applications.

Abstract

Photothermal effect using biocompatible nanoparticles with near infrared wavelength light is a versatile tool in biomedical applications due to the temperature sensitivity of cells and good penetrability of the light through many biological systems. However, precise patterning of the nanoparticles on biochips to control the location and intensity of the photothermal effect requires suitable fabrication methods. In this report, we show that inkjet printing of aqueous nanoparticle solution on polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer coated substrates enables micron-scale patterning of gold nanorods, and thus application of photothermal effect with good control.