Spontaneous formation of magnetic-plasmonic liposomes with tunable optical and magnetic properties

Magnetoplasmonic NPs have shown remarkable potential in hyperthermia, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) imaging and diagnostics. However, despite their potential, effective clinical translation remains extremely limited due to a lack of fundamental knowledge about the biological response to these materials, and ongoing efforts seek to bridge the gap between nanomaterial production and effective application. To overcome these hurdles, the combination of inorganic NPs with lipid membranes has emerged as a promising strategy for the biocompatibilization of nanomaterials, preserving the inherent properties of each component and exhibiting novel synergistic functionalities. In this study, we synthesize magnetic-plasmonic-liposome adducts via spontaneous self-assembly. The interaction between magnetic-plasmonic NPs and liposomes was addressed from a physicochemical point of view as a function of liposome composition and concentration. By combining Cryogenic Microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy and Dynamic Light Scattering we demonstrated that the rigidity of the lipid membrane affects the aggregation of the NPs and the colloidal stability of the NPs-vesicle hybrids. The magnetic responsivity of the hybrids is enhanced as a consequence of the colocalization and crowding of NPs on the lipid membranes and can be finely modulated by varying the number of particles per vesicle. Overall, these results pave the way for the development of multifunctional materials with controlled magnetic-plasmonic properties for a variety of technological applications.