Laser-generated titanium nitride nanoparticles for biomedical applications: Synthesis and comprehensive biological study

Owing to a red-shifted absorption/scattering feature compared to conventional plasmonic metals, titanium nitride nanoparticles (TiN NPs) constitute a promising candidate for nanomedicine. However, their potential is still underexplored due to difficulties of synthesis of stable biocompatible colloids of TiN NPs. Here, we provide results of elaboration of laser-ablative synthesis of TiN NPs in liquids which can solve the problem. Laser-ablated TiN NPs have strong plasmonic peak in near-IR. We also present their first comprehensive biocompatibility assessment. The obtained results evidence high safety of laser-synthesized TiN NPs for biological systems, which promises a major advancement of phototheranostic modalities on their basis.