Nanotriangle-based gap-enhanced Raman tags for bioimaging and photothermal therapy

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanoparticles can be utilized as optical labeling nanoprobes for bioimaging with advantages of the fingerprint vibrational signal as a unique optical code and the ultra-narrow linewidth for multiplexing. As a new type of SERS nanoprobes, gap-enhanced Raman tags (GERTs) developed recently can overcome the common issues of poor photostability and limited Raman enhancement. In this work, we have constructed bright nanotriangle-based GERTs (NT-GERTs) for combined SERS bioimaging and photothermal therapy. With optimized Au shell morphology and thickness, NT-GERTs possess 20 folds brighter SERS signal and a more efficient photothermal effect compared to conventional nanosphere-based GERTs. These NT-GERTs show great potential for intraoperative SERS bioimaging guided photothermal therapy of cancers.