Abstract
Methods of preparing a composite comprising non-ionic, radioactive gold nanoparticles (R-GNPs) are disclosed. The method comprises: (a) providing a solution comprising gold (Au-197) ions; and (b) exposing the solution to neutron irradiation to generate a composite comprising non-ionic R-GNPs. Alternatively, the method comprises: (a) providing a solution that comprises a composite comprising gold (Au-197) nanoparticles (GNPs); and (b) exposing the GNP solution to neutron irradiation to generate a composite comprising non-ionic R-GNPs. Composites that comprise nonionic R-GNPs encapsulated within and/or anchored to MSNs, and methods of making the same are also disclosed.