Tailoring the plasmonic properties of gold-liposome nanohybrids as a potential powerful tool for light-mediated therapies

A fast and environmentally-friendly methodology has been developed by in situ synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on thermosensitive liposomes in different phase-states, obtaining nanohybrids with controllable and tunable plasmon modes within the visible/near-infrared region. Lipid phase, charge and synthesis temperature influence the final arrangement of AuNPs, so when the synthesis is performed on zwitterionic liposomes in fluid phase, discrete AuNPs with plasmon peaks in the visible region are obtained, while in gel phase AuNPs tend to aggregate forming nanoclusters, leading to plasmon bands gradually shifted to the infrared as the synthesis temperature decreases. The formed nanohybrids retain the physical properties of the liposomes (fluidity, degree of hydration, cooperativity) by maintaining the transition temperature in the mild-hyperthermia range, while preserving their light-to-heat conversion properties. Therefore, these nanohybrids can be considered excellent candidates as versatile photothermal agents with controlled drug delivery capacity, being powerful tools for light-mediated therapies. [Display omitted] •AuNP-liposome nanohybrids with on-demand plasmon modes are synthesized in situ.•Liposome physical state influences the arrangement of AuNPs in the nanohybrid.•Nanohybrid plasmonic properties are tailored by lipid phase and temperature.•Low-temperature synthesized nanohybrids exhibit remarkable NIR photothermal effect.•Nanohybrids retain liposome physical properties enabling the use in chemo and PTT.