Surface modification of gold–carbon nanotube nanohybrids under the influence of near-infrared laser exposure

Abstract

The development of multifunctional hybrid nanostructures that can be remotely activated is an attractive strategy for a diverse range of applications ranging from electronics, cancer therapeutics, and drug delivery platforms to sophisticated biosensors. In this study, the authors examined the systematic capture of biomolecular targets onto single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), site-specific labeling with gold nanoparticles (GNPs) of three different sizes (10, 30, 60 nm), and the subsequent effects upon exposure to 1064 nm near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation. The authors demonstrate that the SWNT-GNP hybrids containing the smallest GNPs experience greater heating and subsequent GNP release upon NIR laser irradiation compared to SWNT surfaces modified with larger 60 nm GNPs. The authors hypothesize that the greater attachment efficiency of the smaller GNPs to the biomolecules allows increased heat transduction. Therefore, it is possible to physically modify the surface of hybrid nanostructures remotely via NIR laser irradiation. It is anticipated that targeted NIR strategies will benefit from the robustness of novel material combinations, such as SWNT-GNP hybrid nanostructures, as well as interchangeable biomolecular ligands.