Gold nanorods@metal-organic framework core-shell nanostructure as contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging and its biocompatibility

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), one kind of metal-organic frameworks, has attracted much attention in biomedicine applications. In this manuscript, a novel gold [email protected] imidazolate framework-8 (Au [email protected]) core-shell nanostructure has been successfully prepared via a facile step-by-step route. The phase, structure, morphology, and surface properties of the obtained core-shell nanostructure were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, Zeta, and FTIR analysis. The core-shell nanostructure showed good photothermal performances and photoacoustic (PA) imaging capability resulting from Au NR. The coated metal-organic framework ZIF-8 shell made the nanostructure easily to be modified for further bioapplications. The MTT assay demonstrated that the nanostructure possessed low cell cytotoxicity and had potential biomedical applications.