Gold Copper Iodide Core Shell Nanoparticles (Au/CuI, 99.9%, APS: 80-100nm, Metal Core/Metal Shell)

Gold Copper Iodide Core-Shell Nanoparticles

Applications:

Photocatalysis and Solar Energy Conversion:

Photocatalysis: The copper iodide (CuI) shell provides excellent photocatalytic properties under UV and visible light, which can be harnessed for environmental cleanup (e.g., degradation of organic pollutants) or for solar hydrogen production through water splitting. The plasmonic gold core enhances light absorption and conversion efficiency, enabling plasmon-enhanced photocatalysis.

Solar Cells: The combination of CuI’s semiconductor properties and gold’s plasmonic effects can improve the efficiency of photovoltaic devices, particularly in photovoltaic cells or solar energy harvesting. Au-CuI nanoparticles can be used in solar cell materials or light-harvesting systems to enhance light absorption and charge separation, leading to improved energy conversion efficiency.

Biosensing and Diagnostics:

Plasmonic Biosensors: The LSPR effect from the gold core can be used in biosensing applications where the presence of a target molecule (such as a biomarker) changes the optical properties of the nanoparticles, enabling detection. The CuI shell can also be functionalized with antibodies, aptamers, or other ligands for targeted sensing of specific molecules, such as proteins, DNA, or pathogens.

Imaging: The gold core allows for the use of these nanoparticles in optical imaging, where their plasmonic properties can enhance imaging signals, such as in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) or fluorescence-based imaging. The CuI shell can be modified to improve biocompatibility and targeting for in vivo imaging applications.

Drug Delivery and Therapeutics:

Targeted Drug Delivery: The gold core provides a stable platform for the functionalization of nanoparticles with drugs or targeting ligands, while the CuI shell adds a layer of biocompatibility. The nanoparticles can be used for targeted drug delivery, especially in cancer therapy, where the particles can deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to tumor cells, reducing systemic toxicity.

Photothermal Therapy: The gold core can also be used for photothermal therapy (PTT), where nanoparticles are delivered to a tumor site and then irradiated with near-infrared light, causing the particles to generate heat and kill cancer cells. The CuI shell can be used to enhance light absorption and improve the efficiency of the therapy.