A Core-Shell Gold Nanorod@Layered Double Hydroxide Nanomaterial with High Efficient Photothermal Conversion and Its Application in Antibacterial and Tumor Therapy

Photothermal conversion efficiency (η) of gold nanorods (GNRs) can be tuned by enlarging the aspect ratio and forming core-shell structure. Herein, an easy synthesis method is developed to construct core-shell GNR@LDH nanostructure with GNRs and layered double hydroxides (LDHs). The interaction between Au and LDHs results some elec-tron deficiency on the surface of Au and the more electrons induce more thermal energy conversion. The η value of GNR@LDH can reach up to 59.85% under the 808 nm laser irradiation, which is the highest efficiency compared with all reported GNRs-based PTT materials. CTAB can be replaced totally during the synthesis process, and GNRs keep a good dispersion in LDHs. This core-shell composite GNR@LDH can be applied in photothermal antibacterial, tumor therapy and biological imaging with low dosage and nontoxicity.