Synthesis, characterization and preliminary toxicity assays of NIR-active Au-silicate nanoparticles through a sol-gel processing

Monodisperse Au-silicate nanoparticles (10.7±1.6 nm in diameter) were prepared by reduction of aqueous solution containing 2 mM HAuCl₄ with sodium citrate (1 wt.%) in a hydrosol, in which small clusters of silicate formed by hydrolysis and polymerization of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS). APTMS covalently linked to reduced gold particles through its -NH₂ end-group. UV-vis spectra of the obtained Au-silicate nanoparticles showed a peak at ∼690 nm due to the interface effects between the Au and the silicate matrix. The Au-silicate nanoparticles exhibited near-IR (NIR) sensitivity. Cytotoxicity and limited hemocompatibility in vitro for the prepared Au-silicate nanoparticles were also investigated. It was shown that at lower concentration (<1 μg/ml), the Au-silicate nanoparticles were biocompatible without causing any cytotoxicity and hemolysis.