Review

Gold Nanorods: From Synthesis and Properties to Biological and Biomedical Applications

  1. Xiaohua Huang2,3,
  2. Svetlana Neretina4,5,
  3. Mostafa A. El-Sayed1,*

Article first published online: 24 JUL 2009

DOI: 10.1002/adma.200802789

Issue

Advanced Materials

Advanced Materials

Volume 21, Issue 48, pages 4880–4910, December 28, 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Huang, X., Neretina, S. and El-Sayed, M. A. (2009), Gold Nanorods: From Synthesis and Properties to Biological and Biomedical Applications. Advanced Materials, 21: 4880–4910. doi: 10.1002/adma.200802789

Author Information

  1. 1

    Laser Dynamics Laboratory, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA 30332 (USA)

  2. 2

    Laser Dynamics Laboratory School of Chemistry and Biochemistry Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332 (USA)

  3. 3

    Emory-Georgia Tech Cancer Center for Nanotechnology Excellence Department of Biomedical Engineering Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA 30332 (USA)

  4. 4

    Laser Dynamics Laboratory School of Chemistry and Biochemistry Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA 30332 (USA)

  5. 5

    Department of Mechanical Engineering Temple University 1947 N. 12th St., Philadelphia, PA 19122 (USA)

*Laser Dynamics Laboratory, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA 30332 (USA).

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 21 DEC 2009
  2. Article first published online: 24 JUL 2009
  3. Manuscript Received: 18 SEP 2009

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

Get PDF (1684K)

Keywords:

  • biomedical applications;
  • gold nanorods;
  • photoluminescence;
  • self-assembly;
  • structure–property relationships;
  • surface plasmon resonance

Graphical Abstract

Thumbnail image of graphical abstract

Intriguing optical properties suitable for a wide range of applications are exhibited by gold nanorods. In this review, the optical properties are discussed in terms of radiative and nonradiative properties. Various synthetic routes are then outlined, followed by a discussion on nanorod assembly. Current biological and biomedical applications are summarized, with an emphasis on cancer diagnosis and photothermal therapy.

Abstract

Noble metal nanoparticles are capable of confining resonant photons in such a manner as to induce coherent surface plasmon oscillation of their conduction band electrons, a phenomenon leading to two important properties. Firstly, the confinement of the photon to the nanoparticle's dimensions leads to a large increase in its electromagnetic field and consequently great enhancement of all the nanoparticle's radiative properties, such as absorption and scattering. Moreover, by confining the photon's wavelength to the nanoparticle's small dimensions, there exists enhanced imaging resolving powers, which extend well below the diffraction limit, a property of considerable importance in potential device applications. Secondly, the strongly absorbed light by the nanoparticles is followed by a rapid dephasing of the coherent electron motion in tandem with an equally rapid energy transfer to the lattice, a process integral to the technologically relevant photothermal properties of plasmonic nanoparticles. Of all the possible nanoparticle shapes, gold nanorods are especially intriguing as they offer strong plasmonic fields while exhibiting excellent tunability and biocompatibility. We begin this review of gold nanorods by summarizing their radiative and nonradiative properties. Their various synthetic methods are then outlined with an emphasis on the seed-mediated chemical growth. In particular, we describe nanorod spontaneous self-assembly, chemically driven assembly, and polymer-based alignment. The final section details current studies aimed at applications in the biological and biomedical fields.

Get PDF (1684K)