Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 21, 2026
Synthesis of Stimuli-responsive Nanogels using Aqueous One-step Crosslinking and Co-nanopolymerization
Published on: January 24, 2025
Near-infrared light triggered release of molecules from supramolecular hydrogel-nanorod composites
Christopher B Highley1, Miju Kim2, Daeyeon Lee2
1Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Aim:
To develop a stimulus-responsive material platform capable of releasing entrapped molecules in response to near infrared (NIR) light.
Materials & Methods:
Gold nanorods were mixed with hyaluronic acid derivatives modified with β-cyclodextrin or adamantane to create a NIR-responsive hydrogel-nanorod composite. Microfluidics were used to create responsive microgels and NIR-triggered release was evaluated.
Results & Discussion:
The hydrogel-nanorod composite material exhibited a rapid response to NIR-irradiation, allowing enhanced release of encapsulated payloads with material heating and network disruption. The release was dependent on the entrapped molecule size, the NIR exposure time and the light intensity.
Conclusion:
NIR irradiation of hydrogel-nanorods leads to plasmonic heating and triggered release of encapsulated molecules, a system that has potential for light-triggered release of therapeutics.
