title: Inorganic Janus particles for biomedical applications.
abstract: Based on recent developments regarding the synthesis and design of Janus nanoparticles, they have attracted increased scientific interest due to their outstanding properties. There are several combinations of multicomponent hetero-nanostructures including either purely organic or inorganic, as well as composite organic-inorganic compounds. Janus particles are interconnected by solid state interfaces and, therefore, are distinguished by two physically or chemically distinct surfaces. They may be, for instance, hydrophilic on one side and hydrophobic on the other, thus, creating giant amphiphiles revealing the endeavor of self-assembly. Novel optical, electronic, magnetic, and superficial properties emerge in inorganic Janus particles from their dimensions and unique morphology at the nanoscale. As a result, inorganic Janus nanoparticles are highly versatile nanomaterials with great potential in different scientific and technological fields. In this paper, we highlight some advances in the synthesis of inorganic Janus nanoparticles, focusing on the heterogeneous nucleation technique and characteristics of the resulting high quality nanoparticles. The properties emphasized in this review range from the monodispersity and size-tunability and, therefore, precise control over size-dependent features, to the biomedical application as theranostic agents. Hence, we show their optical properties based on plasmonic resonance, the two-photon activity, the magnetic properties, as well as their biocompatibility and interaction with human blood serum.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Anorganische Chemie und Analytische Chemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schick
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik und Polyklinik, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lorenz
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung, Max-Planck-Forschungsgruppe für Organische Optoelektronik, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Dominik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gehrig
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik und Polyklinik, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tenzer
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik und Polyklinik, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Wiebke
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Storck
authors.affiliation: Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Jakob-Welder-Weg 11, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik und Polyklinik, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Strand
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung, Max-Planck-Forschungsgruppe für Organische Optoelektronik, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Laquai
authors.affiliation: Institut für Anorganische Chemie und Analytische Chemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tremel
keywords: Janus particles; MRI; Multi-photon); bioimaging (CT; hetero-nanoparticles; protein corona; synthesis