Detoxification of gold surfaces by OH• treatment

Metallic gold is not completely inert towards biological tissues and cells. Cytotoxicity and immunotoxicity are concerns in various gold applications. This study shows that treating the surface of gold with OH• radicals renders the gold surface non-cytotoxic, as well as prevents any biocorrosion of gold implants by an immune reaction. The detoxification is discussed as resulting from the selective dissolution of active gold atoms from the surface.