Despite the wide utility of gold nanorods (GNRs) in biomedical fields, only a few methods for modifying or coating the surface of GNRs suitable for biomedical applications are available. In this study, we report a new facile method that enables formation of an ultra-thin (nanometre-thickness) siloxane layer on GNRs with anti-biofouling properties and ligand functionalisation ability. A triblock random copolymer, poly(TMSMA-r-PEGMA-r-NAS), was used to coat GNRs. An ultrathin polymeric shell was formed surrounding GNRs through acid-catalysed crosslinking of silicates of TMSMA. The polymer-coated GNRs (p-GNRs) exhibited high colloidal stability in biological solutions of high ionic strength and long-term stability superior to that of PEG_2k-S-GNRs. The functionalities of NAS were demonstrated using two methods for conjugating targeting ligands and loading doxorubicin via electrostatic interactions. The ligand-specific cancer-targeting ability and combinatorial chemo-photothermal anticancer effects were validated in vitro and in vivo, suggesting their potential utility in various fields.

尽管金纳米棒 (GNR) 在生物医学领域具有广泛的用途，但只有少数几种方法可以用于修饰或涂覆适合生物医学应用的 GNR 表面。在这项研究中，我们报告了一种新的简便方法，该方法能够在 GNR 上形成具有抗生物污垢特性和配体功能化能力的超薄（纳米厚度）硅氧烷层。三嵌段无规共聚物聚（TMSMA- r- PEGMA- r- NAS）用于涂覆GNR。通过 TMSMA 硅酸盐的酸催化交联，在 GNR 周围形成了超薄聚合物壳。聚合物包覆的 GNRs (p-GNRs) 在高离子强度的生物溶液中表现出高胶体稳定性，长期稳定性优于 PEG _2k-S-GNR。NAS 的功能使用两种方法来结合靶向配体和通过静电相互作用加载阿霉素。配体特异性癌症靶向能力和组合化学光热抗癌作用在体外和体内得到验证，表明它们在各个领域的潜在用途。