Yolk-Shell Nanostructure: An Ideal Architecture to Achieve Harmonious Integration of Magnetic-Plasmonic Hybrid...

Magnetic-plasmonic hybrid nanoparticles (MPHNs) have attracted great interest in cancer theranostics. However, the relaxivity of the magnetic component is typically reduced by the plasmonic component in conventional core-shell structured MPHNs, due to the presence of a water-impenetrable coating which severely restricts the proximity of protons to the magnetic portion. To circumvent this issue, yolk-shell structured MPHNs comprising a Fe₃ O₄ core within a hollow cavity encircled by a porous Au outer shell are designed. As expected, the introduction of hollow cavity between the magnetic and plasmonic portions significantly prevents the decline in relaxivity of the Fe₃ O₄ core caused by the Au layer. Moreover, in addition to conferring high near-infrared absorption to plasmonic component, the hollow cavity and the pores in the outer shell can also provide a large storage space and release channels for anticancer drugs. Furthermore, the multicomponent nanoparticles (NPs) still have a compact size of less than 100 nm to ensure efficient tumor accumulation. Taken together, the yolk-shell Fe₃ O₄ @Au NPs can be regarded as an ideal magnetic-plasmonic theranostic platform for magnetic resonance/photoacoustic/positron emission tomography multimodal imaging and light-activated chemothermal synergistic therapy.