Abstract
Room temperature liquid metals (LMs) represent a class of emerging multifunctional materials with attractive novel properties. Here, we show that photopolymerized LMs present a unique nanoscale capsule structure characterized by high water dispersibility and low toxicity. We also demonstrate that the LM nanocapsule generates heat and reactive oxygen species under biologically neutral near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation. Concomitantly, NIR laser exposure induces a transformation in LM shape, destruction of the nanocapsules, contactless controlled release of the loaded drugs, optical manipulations of a microfluidic blood vessel model and spatiotemporal targeted marking for X-ray-enhanced imaging in biological organs and a living mouse. By exploiting the physicochemical properties of LMs, we achieve effective cancer cell elimination and control of intercellular calcium ion flux. In addition, LMs display a photoacoustic effect in living animals during NIR laser treatment, making this system a powerful tool for bioimaging.
Highlights
Room temperature liquid metals (LMs) represent a class of emerging multifunctional materials with attractive novel properties
We expected that the polyethylene glycol (PEG) moieties and hydrogen bonds between cationic trimethyl amino groups and water molecules would enhance the solubility of LM in an aqueous solvent
The laser-induced LM nanocapsules transformed to massive LM aggregations, as we demonstrated by optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements, that could be restored the original X-ray contrast property that is sufficient density for X-ray imaging
Summary
Room temperature liquid metals (LMs) represent a class of emerging multifunctional materials with attractive novel properties. NIR laser exposure induces a transformation in LM shape, destruction of the nanocapsules, contactless controlled release of the loaded drugs, optical manipulations of a microfluidic blood vessel model and spatiotemporal targeted marking for X-ray-enhanced imaging in biological organs and a living mouse. LMs display a photoacoustic effect in living animals during NIR laser treatment, making this system a powerful tool for bioimaging Owing to their desirable physical properties, such as high conductivity or favourable flexibility, room temperature liquid metals (LMs) have been shown to possess unique advantages in a variety of research fields[1,2]. NIR irradiation causes changes in LM shape and the destruction of nanocapsules for the controlled release of drug molecules, optical manipulations of a microfluidic blood vessel model and targeted marking for X-ray-enhanced imaging in organs and a living mouse. The current work clearly shows that the LM nanocapsules simultaneously display the above-mentioned multiple physicochemical performances with good water dispersibility, superior photothermal conversion efficiency (52%), high biocompatibility, excellent photothermal stability, fine thermal and freezing resistances, a wide range of light energy absorbance for photothermal conversion and powerful PA performance
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
