“…[1][2][3][4] Compared with other nanoparticles, AuNPs have been extensively used due to the progress in chemical methods to control their morphology, which results in the tunability of their optical and thermal properties. [5][6][7][8][9] In particular, gold nanospheres (AuNSs) are broadly utilized in applications due to their fast and facile synthesis, low cytotoxicity and ease of bioconjugation. 10 The surface of AuNPs can be readily modified with ligands containing groups, which bind to gold such as thiols, phosphines and amines.…”