Polyvinyl alcohol as a biocompatible alternative for the passivation of gold nanorods

The functionalization of gold nanorods (GNRs) with polymers is essential for both their colloidal stability and biocompatibility. However, a bilayer of the toxic cationic surfactant cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) adsorbed on the nanorods complicates this process. Herein, we report on a strategy for the biocompatible functionalization of GNRs with a hydrophobic polymeric precursor, polyvinyl acetate, which is then transformed into its hydrophilic analogue, polyvinyl alcohol. This polymer was chosen due to its well-established biocompatibility, tunable "stealth" properties, tunable hydrophobicity, and high degree of functionality. The biocompatibility of the functionalized GNRs was tested by exposing them to primary human blood monocyte derived macrophages; the advantages of tunable hydrophobicity were demonstrated with the long-term stable encapsulation of a model hydrophobic drug molecule.