Dual-functional core-shell Au@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles for cellular imaging and magnetic hyperthermia

S. Prabhakaran

Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400076, India

Abstract
Here, we report a simple in-situ stepwise preparation of Au(core)@Fe₃O₄ (shell) NPs through one-pot thermal decomposition by using metal acetate/acetylacetonate in a high boiling solvent. Furthermore, HeLa cells labeled with the surface functionalized core-shell NPs were successfully imaged with confocal laser scanning microscopy as well as respond to an external magnetic field by increasing the temperature of the surrounding environment (i.e., hyperthermia), which can be used therapeutically to treat cancer cells locally. Figs 7, Refs 23.