Light-induced content release from plasmon-resonant liposomes

A study was conducted to demonstrate light-induced content release from plasmon-resnant liposomes. The study also involved encapsulation of a model compound in thermosenstive liposomes, which then coated with gold to form plasmon-resonant shells with optical resonance tunable in the near-infrared range. It was observed that when exposed to 1064 nm laser light, these liposomes released their content in a spectrally-dependent manner. It was also found that the plasmon-resonant coating deposited on the surface of temperature-sensitive liposomes enhanced light-controlled release of payloads through the photothermal conversion of energy of absorbed light. The reduction of gold to the surface of the liposomes produced a final structure of 127 nm in diameter. This method could be used for application in complex diagnostic tests and therapeutic intervention requiring sequential delivery of agents.