Synthesis and Characterization of Multifunctional Nanocomposites

Synthesis of multifunctional nanocomposites for plasmonic photothermal-assisted multimodal cancer therapy involves the synthesis of plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT) agent followed by its surface functionalization to get the final multifunctional nanocomposite. The synthesized multifunctional is next characterized using various standard characterization techniques to assess the desired therapeutic effects, viz. PPTT and its combinational therapies. So, this chapter discusses the methods and techniques for the synthesis and characterization of gold-based multifunctional nanocomposites for PPTT-assisted multimodal cancer therapy. Firstly, different methods, viz. physical, chemical or biological methods available in the literature for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (PPTT agent) of numerous sizes and morphologies, are detailed along with the limitations of each method. Next, the details related to surface functionalization with passivating, active targeting or therapeutic agents to develop multifunctional gold nanocomposites are mentioned. Then, various techniques to characterize physical, chemical, biological and therapeutic properties of the synthesized multifunctional nanocomposite are discussed, together with the significance of each technique. This will assist the readers in selecting a suitable technique for the characterization of a desired property applicable to the synthesized multifunctional nanocomposite. Lastly, a case study of the synthesis and characterization of multifunctional gold nanoblackbodies for PPTT-assisted photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemotherapy (PPTT-PDT-Chemotherapy) is presented. This example provides a stepwise systematic approach for the development of multifunctional nanocomposites for emerging PPTT-assisted multimodal cancer therapeutics.