Plasmonic Gold Nanovesicles for Biomedical Applications

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs), with tunable optical properties, bioinertness, and surface multivalent effect, have been widely explored for biomedical applications. As one classical type of GNPs-based assemblies, plasmonic gold nanovesicles (GVs), with a hollow cavity, "solid skeleton" composed of GNPs cores and a "soft body" composed of functional polymers, have attracted considerable attention due to their tunable localized surface plasmon resonance, strong surface-enhanced Raman scattering properties, and high photothermal conversion efficiency. This review summarizes recent advances in biomedical applications for plasmonic GVs. Firstly, the synthesis methods of GVs are mainly including self-assembly and in situ gold growth methods. Secondly, the classification of GVs is described according to the morphology of GNPs cores. Thirdly, different biomedical applications of GVs are elaborated, including in vitro diagnosis, in vivo imaging, and in vivo therapy. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of GVs are discussed.