Gold Nanorods: From Synthesis to Application

Gold nanoparticles are attractive materials for biologically and medicinally driven applications due to their interesting optical properties, long-term stability, and non-cytotoxicity. Over the last 10 years gold nanoparticles having various morphologies including rods, cubes, and tripods have been synthesized. Our group focuses on the synthesis, modification, and application of gold nanorods. These nanorods are synthesized with a high degree of monodispersity and their optical properties well controlled by tuning rod aspect ratio. Post synthesis they may be functionalized with a variety of groups including small molecules, drugs, antibodies or proteins. These derivatized composites are then studied as potential vaccine candidates, viral inhibitors, novel imaging platforms or photothermal therapeutic materials. In addition to investigating the medicinal applications of these nanorods, we are also studying greener synthetic approaches including improved gold conversion and alternate surfactants. This seminar will provide an overview of the work our group is performing at Georgia Southern University