Collection: Gold Nanostars

Gold Nanostars are specially designed for applications where a high surface area, spiky surface and high electromagnetic enhancement are required.

In cancer therapy, gold nanostars excel as photothermal agents, absorbing near-infrared light to generate localized heat that selectively destroys tumor cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Gold nanostars demonstrate superior effectiveness in thermal therapy compared to other gold nanoparticles due to their unique structural and optical properties. Their multi-branched morphology creates localized electric field enhancements at the tips ("lightning rod effect"), enabling highest photothermal conversion efficiency.

The ability to generate intense electromagnetic "hot spots" makes gold nanostars ideal for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), allowing detection of trace biomarkers (like DNA, proteins, exosomes, pathogens, etc.)  at extremely low concentrations, enabling ultrasensitive recognition for early diagnostics that can be used for point-of-care testing.

Gold nanostars stand out in life sciences due to their tunable plasmonic properties, as their localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peaks can be precisely adjusted across visible to near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths (600–1300 nm), outperforming nanospheres and rods. Their high surface area and ease of functionalization make them ideal for targeted drug delivery, enabling controlled release of therapeutics. Additionally, gold nanostars serve as versatile platforms for real-time imaging and diagnostic assays. The strong scattering and absorption properties of Gold nanostars enable real-time multimodal imaging and theragnostic by using combined dark-field microscopy, photoacoustic imaging, and SERS tracking of drug delivery. These properties position gold nanostars as leading agents for precise, minimally invasive cancer therapy.