Near-Infrared Light-Triggered Dual Drug Release Using Gold Nanorod-Embedded Thermosensitive Nanogel-Crosslinked Hydrogels

Gold nanorod (AuNR)-embedded poly( N -isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogels offer the possibility of achieving near-infrared (NIR) light-triggered drug release. In addition, using nanoparticles as a crosslinker can enhance the mechanical properties of PNIPAM hydrogels, and nanoparticle-crosslinked hydrogels provide an important approach for dual drug release. Here, NIR light-triggered dual drug release using AuNR-embedded thermosensitive nanogel-crosslinked hydrogels is reported for the first time. Two kinds of drugs are encapsulated, one in the nanogel and the other in the hydrogel. The volume phase transition of the PNIPAM hydrogels is induced by NIR light by utilizing the photothermal effect of AuNRs. By changing the number of embedded AuNRs and the intensity of NIR light, the release rate and drug quantity can be adjusted for on-demand release. Because of its NIR light-triggering and nanoparticle-crosslinking capabilities, AuNR-embedded thermosensitive nanogel-crosslinked hydrogels may expand the application scope of hydrogels and provide enhanced properties in their applications.