Real-Time Temperature Monitoring of Photoinduced Cargo Release inside Living Cells Using Hybrid Capsules Decorated with Gold Nanoparticles and Fluorescent Nanodiamonds

Real-time temperature monitoring within biological objects is a key fundamental issue for understanding the heating process and performing remote-controlled release of bioactive compounds upon laser irradiation. The lack of accurate thermal control significantly limits the translation of optical laser techniques into nanomedicine. Here, we design and develop hybrid (complex) carriers based on multilayered capsules combined with nanodiamonds (NV centers) as nanothermometers and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) as nanoheaters to estimate an effective laser-induced temperature rise required for capsule rupture and further release of cargo molecules outside and inside cancerous (B16-F10) cells. We integrate both elements (NV centers and Au NPs) in the capsule structure using two strategies: (i) loading inside the capsule’s cavity (CORE) and incorporating them inside the capsule’s wall (WALL). Theoretically and experimentally, we show the highest and lowest heat release from capsule samples (CORE or WALL) under laser irradiation depending on the Au NP arrangement within the capsule. Applying NV centers, we measure the local temperature of capsule rupture inside and outside the cells, which is determined to be 128 ± 1.12 °C. Finally, the developed hybrid containers can be used to perform the photoinduced release of cargo molecules with simultaneous real-time temperature monitoring inside the cells.