Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 March 2012
Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with precisely controlled near infrared (NIR) absorption were synthesized by one-step reaction of chloroauric acid and sodium thiosulfate. The NIR absorption wavelengths and average particle size increase with increasing molar ratio of HAuCl4/Na2S2O3. The as-synthesized GNPs consist of different shape and size, including small spherical gold colloids and larger non-spherical gold crystals. The GNPs with good chemical and optical stability only form in a suitable range of the HAuCl4/Na2S2O3 molar ratio. High molar ratio of HAuCl4/Na2S2O3 reduces GNPs stability due to Ostwald ripening. Chitosan coating improves particle stability and allows these GNPs effective ablation for esophageal adenocarcinoma under low power NIR laser radiation.