Comparison of pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of laser-synthesized plasmonic Au and TiN nanoparticles

Abstract Plasmonic nanostructures offer wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic functionalities for biomedical applications. Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) present one the most explored nanomaterial in this field, while titanium nitride (TiN is a new promising with superior plasmonic properties biomedicine. However conventional chemical techniques synthesis these nanomaterials cannot always match stringent requirements toxicity levels surface conditioning. Laser-synthesized Au TiN NPs exceptional purity (no contamination by by-products or ligands) unusual chemistry. Therefore, viable alternative to chemically synthesized counterparts. This work presents comparative analysis pharmacokinetics biodistribution laser-synthesized 20 nm under intravenous administration mice model. Our data show that bare are rapidly eliminated from blood circulation accumulate preferentially liver spleen, coating hydrophilic polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG) significantly prolongates time improves delivery tumor. We finally discuss potential applications laser SERS, SEIRA electrocatalysis, considered as agents photothermal therapy photoacoustic imaging.