Efficient Strategy to Synthesize Tunable pH-Responsive Hybrid Micelles Based on Iron Oxide and Gold Nanoparticles

Langmuir. 2024 Jun 4;40(22):11775-11784. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c01318. Epub 2024 May 20.

Abstract

The preparation of multifunctional nanomaterials based on inorganic nanoparticles with organic materials has emerged as a promising strategy for the development of new nanomedicines for in vitro and in vivo biomedical applications. Here, we synthesized pH-responsive hybrid inorganic micelles by combining a novel pH-responsive amphiphilic molecule with hydrophobic payloads. This amphiphile was synthesized in a one-pot reaction and self-assembled readily into micelles under acidic pH conditions. In the presence of hydrophobic NP payloads such as AuNPs or IONPs, the amphiphile self-organized around them through hydrophobic interactions, resulting in the formation of colloidally stable hybrid micelles. The size of the hydrophobic NPs determined the pH-response of the inorganic hybrid micelles, which is tuned from pH 7 to 11 for our pH-responsive amphiphilic molecule. This achievement represents a novel approach for the synthesis of tunable pH-responsive hybrid micelles based on inorganic NPs for biomedical imaging, hyperthermia treatment, and also drug delivery nanosystems.

MeSH terms

  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry
  • Gold* / chemistry
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Micelles*
  • Particle Size

Substances

  • Gold
  • Micelles
  • ferric oxide
  • Ferric Compounds