PEGylated W4.6N4/WO3 nanoparticles as a near-infrared photothermal agent for effective cancer therapy

Abstract

In recent years, near-infrared (NIR) light-sensitive photothermal agents (PTAs) with excellent photothermal conversion efficiency have shown great potential in enhancing the performance of advanced photothermal therapy (PTT). In this study, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified tungsten nitride/tungsten oxide nanoparticles (PEGylated W_4.6N₄/WO₃-NPs) with heterojunction structures were designed and constructed. The PEGylated W_4.6N₄/WO₃-NPs showed strong absorbance ability in the NIR window and photothermal conversion under 808 nm irradiation. The PEGylated W_4.6N₄/WO₃-NPs exhibited good biocompatibility and efficient tumor ablation function. Therefore, the PEGylated W_4.6N₄/WO₃-NPs can be used as a photothermal agent.