LAUSR

Polysaccharide-nanoparticle (NP) hybrid nanoclusters have great potential to revitalize diverse bio-applications; however, fabricating polysaccharide-based hybrid nanoclusters composed of high-quality NPs generated in organic phase remains a challenge. Here, using calcium alginate as a polysaccharide/tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) combination, we report a novel approach to designing alginate-hydrophobic magnetic-plasmonic core-shell (MPCS) NP hybrid nanoclusters (A-MPCS HNCs). Furthermore, we observe the dependency of TMAOH concentrations on the formation of A-MPCS HNCs. The enhanced performance in both magnetic r2 relaxivity and PA signals, and the biocompatibility/bioactivity as well as the in vivo performance of A-MPCS HNCs shows A-MPCS HNCs to be a promising MR/PA dual-mode imaging agent. Our strategy could open doors to the use of other precious high-quality nanomaterials created in organic phase via well-established synthetic chemistry in the design of alginate-hydrophobic nanomaterials hybrid nanoclusters, giving rise to novel and multifarious bio-applications.