Reaching Biocompatibility with Nanoclays: Eliminating the Cytotoxicity of Ir(III) Complexes

Cyclometalated Ir^III complexes are promising candidates for biomedical applications but high cytotoxicity limits their use as imaging and sensing agents. We herein introduce the use of Laponite as carrier for triplet-emitting cyclometalated Ir^III complexes. Laponite is a versatile nanoplatform because of its biocompatibility, dispersion stability and large surface area that readily adsorbs functional nonpolar and cationic molecules. These inorganic-organic hybrid nanomaterials mask cytotoxicity, show efficient cell uptake and increase luminescent properties and photostability. By camouflaging intrinsic cytotoxicity, this simple method potentially extends the palette of available imaging and sensing dyes to any metal-organic complexes, especially those that are usually cytotoxic.