Gold nanoparticle cluster-plasmon-enhanced fluorescent silica core-shell nanoparticles for X-ray computed tomography-fluorescence dual-mode imaging of tumors.

Owing to the surface plasmon resonance-enhanced electromagnetic field, clustered gold nanoparticles-fluorescent silica core-shell nanoparticles became excited within the therapeutic window and fluoresced strongly in this window. The nanoparticles enabled tumor detection using fluorescence imaging and X-ray computed tomography.