Facile preparation of gold nanoparticles-liposome composites.

We report here facile preparation of gold nanoparticles-liposome composites (AuNPs-liposome) in aqueous solutions at ambient conditions in the absence of any reducing agents and energy input. The AuNPs-liposomes were prepared by simply mixing of an aqueous solution of hydrogen tetrachloroaureate (III) hydrate (HAuCl4.3H2O) and a dispersion of poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted liposomes (PEG-liposomes) that are comprised of distearoyl-N-monomethyoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-succinyl-phosphatidylethanoamine (DSPE-PEG) and L-alpha-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC). The AuNPs-liposomes formed consist of a liposome (with diameter of 50-200 nm) combining with a AuNP (with diameter of 30-50 nm).