Au-Fe3O4 heterostructures for catalytic, analytical, and biomedical applications

Au-Fe3O4 heterostructures including dumbbell-like dimer, core-shell structure, and flower-type nanoparticles (NPs), attract much attention due to their multiple modifiable surfaces and unique properties coming from either Au or Fe3O4 nanoparticles. This review focuses on the preparation methods and biomedical applications of these heterogenous NPs in the fields of catalysis, assay, multimodal imaging, and combination therapy. [Display omitted] Heterostructures are a series of nanomaterials combining different components into a single nanostructure. Au-Fe3O4 heterostructures have received considerable attentions because of their superior properties coming from both individual and combinational features of gold and iron oxide nanoparticles. Their intrinsically peculiar magnetic, optical properties, and structure designability greatly enhance and broaden their potential applications in catalysis, assay, multimodal imaging, and synergistic treatment for tumor. In this review, we systematically introduce the preparation methods of Au-Fe3O4 heterostructures and their potential applications in the biomedical field, focusing on the unique synergistic effect caused by the combination of gold and iron oxide structures. This review will provide insights into the structure control in adjusting the function of heterogeneous or hybrid material, such as Au-Fe3O4 heterostructures, to implement their biomedical applications.