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Thermoplasmonic Polymersome Membranes by In Situ Synthesis

Barbieri, V; González Colsa, J; Matias, D; Duro Castano, A; Thapa, A; Ruiz-Pérez, L; Albella, P; ... Battaglia, G; + view all (2025) Thermoplasmonic Polymersome Membranes by In Situ Synthesis. ACS Nano , 19 (16) pp. 15331-15344. 10.1021/acsnano.4c14093. Green open access

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Abstract

Thermoplasmonic nanoparticles, known for releasing heat upon illumination, find diverse applications in catalysis, optics, and biomedicine. Incorporating plasmonic metals within organic vesicle membranes can lead to the formation of nanoreactors capable of regulating temperature-sensitive microscopic processes. Yet, the controlled formation of stable hybrid vesicles displaying significant thermoplasmonic properties remains challenging. This work presents the in situ synthesis of highly efficient thermoplasmonic polymer vesicles, or hybrid polymersomes, by nucleating ∼2 nm gold nanoparticles within preformed polymersome membranes. This process preserves the vesicles’ morphology, stability, and overall functionality. Despite the small size of the embedded plasmonic nanoparticles, these hybrid polymersomes can efficiently convert laser light into a notable temperature increase on a larger scale through collective heating. We develop a theoretical framework that rationalizes the structure-property relations of hybrid polymersomes and accurately predicts their collective thermoplasmonic response. Finally, we demonstrate the biomedical potential of our polymersomes by employing their photothermal properties to induce the hyperthermal death of cancer cells in vitro, an effect amplified by their superior cellular uptake. We envision that these hybrid polymersomes will evolve into a versatile platform for precise control over nanoscale chemical and biological processes through plasmonic heating, unlocking numerous opportunities across various scientific and medical contexts.

Type: Article
Title: Thermoplasmonic Polymersome Membranes by In Situ Synthesis
Location: United States
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c14093
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.4c14093
Language: English
Additional information: © 2025 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society. This publication is licensed under CC-BY 4.0 .
Keywords: Hybrid polymersomes, thermoplasmonics, collective heating, cellular uptake, hyperthermia
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Chemistry
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10208179
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