Vol.:(0123456789) Discover Nano (2024) 19:214 | https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-024-04173-8 Discover Nano Review A comprehensive review on nanoparticle‑based photo acoustic: current application and future prospective Sebika Panja 1  · Manish Sharma 2  · Harshika Sharma 2  · Abhishek Kumar 3  · Vinay Chandel 2  · Swarup Roy 4  · Deblina Biswas 5 Received: 20 April 2024 / Accepted: 10 December 2024 © The Author(s) 2024 OPEN Abstract In vivo, molecular imaging is prevalent for biology research and therapeutic practice. Among advanced imaging tech- nologies, photoacoustic (PA) imaging and sensing is gaining interest around the globe due its exciting features like high resolution and good (~ few cm) penetration depth. PA imaging is a recent development in ultrasonic technology that generates acoustic waves by absorbing optical energy. However, poor light penetration through tissue continues to be the key obstacle in the feld. The NPs as contrast agents can assist in overcoming tissue penetration depth as NPs can produce high signal to noise (SNR) PA signal which aids reconstruction of high resolution of the PA images in deep tissue sights. Subsequently, NPs are very efective in PA based targeted and precise theranostic applications. This article detail about various NPs (organic, inorganic and hybrid) used in PA imaging and spectroscopy applications including various disease diagnosis, therapy and theranostic. It also features optical property, advantages and limitations of various NPs utilised in PA techniques which would comprehend readers about the potential of NPs in evolving PA technique from laboratory to clinical modality in future. Keywords Photoacoustic · Nanoparticles · Imaging · Diagnosis · Biomedical, theranostic 1 Introduction Recently molecular imaging has emerged as a prevailing tool to study spectrum of biological and medical problems in the in vivo condition. On the other hand, a hybrid modality named photoacoustic (PA) technique has gained popularity recently due to its ability to probe specifc tissue chromophore with high spatial resolution deep inside the tissue [1]. Utilizing optical absorption to create acoustic waves, PA imaging is one recent advancement in the ultrasound technol- ogy [2]. PA imaging can feature wide variety of biological tissues. The images illustrate good contrast and signal-to-noise ratios despite the absence of ionising radiation or tissue injury. The high contrast and multiplexing capabilities of optical Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-024- 04173-8. * Swarup Roy, swaruproy2013@gmail.com; * Deblina Biswas, deblinabi@gmail.com | 1 Department of Biological Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gujarat 382355, India. 2 School of Bioengineering and Food Technology, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 173229, India. 3 Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai, Chhattisgarh 491001, India. 4 Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India. 5 Department of Instrumentation and Control Engineering, Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology Jalandhar, Punjab 144008, India.