Experimental and Theoretical Structural Characterization of Cu-Au Tripods for Photothermal Anticancer Therapy

Abstract

Anisotropic metal nanostructures (e.g., Au Ag, Au Cu) are emerging for biomedical and catalytic applications in recent years. Herein, we report a modified synthesis of Cu Au tripod nanocrystals through the controlled nucleation and growth process with judicious purification for photothermal based anticancer therapy. The distribution of nanocrystals in tripod was analyzed by STEM-EDX mapping, indicating the formation of Cu Au alloy nanocrystals. Theoretical calculations showed the possible formation of alloy structures, that is, Cu3Au, Cu Au, and CuAu3 and confirmed that their stability in the following order: CuAu3 < Cu Au < Cu3Au. These stable tripods exhibited a well pronounced photothermal effect as demonstrated by experimental and simulation photothermal studies. Cancer cells treated with nanocrystals upon NIR laser exposure showed promising therapeutic effects.