Issue 4, 2019

The design of Janus black phosphorus quantum dots@metal–organic nanoparticles for simultaneously enhancing environmental stability and photodynamic therapy efficiency

Abstract

Although newly-developed black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) with unique photocatalytic properties have attracted much attention for biomedical applications, especially phototherapy, the environmental instability and weak photocatalytic activity of BPQDs remains a considerable challenge preventing their clinical application. Herein, we have designed new Janus nanoparticles (J-MOPs) based on BPQDs and tetrahydroxyanthraquinone (THQ)–Cu metal–organic particles (MOPs) to simultaneously improve the environmental stability and photocatalytic activity for the PDT treatment of cancers. The J-MOPs were simply assembled from BPQDs and THQ via Cu-mediated P–Cu–THQ “host–metal–guest” coordination effects. The encapsulation of BPQDs inside J-MOPs and P–Cu bonds effectively isolated BPQDs from water–air and occupied the P lone-pair electrons, respectively, to improve the stability of BPQDs. Furthermore, the dramatic electron–hole separation and migration abilities of J-MOPs increased the reactivity toward O2, which enhanced singlet oxygen (1O2) generation against cancers compared with BPQDs alone when exposed to 670 nm laser irradiation. Intriguingly, tumor acid-triggered J-MOPs degradation resulted in the release of Cu2+ ions that further served as a Fenton-like agent to generate ˙OH from H2O2, which enhanced the antitumor effects of the J-MOPs. Therefore, we have highlighted the potential of J-MOPs as a photocatalyst for photodynamic cancer therapy.

Graphical abstract: The design of Janus black phosphorus quantum dots@metal–organic nanoparticles for simultaneously enhancing environmental stability and photodynamic therapy efficiency

Associated articles

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
05 Dec. 2018
Accepted
13 Febr. 2019
First published
14 Febr. 2019

Mater. Chem. Front., 2019,3, 656-663

The design of Janus black phosphorus quantum dots@metal–organic nanoparticles for simultaneously enhancing environmental stability and photodynamic therapy efficiency

D. Zhang, Z. Lin, S. Lan, H. Sun, Y. Zeng and X. Liu, Mater. Chem. Front., 2019, 3, 656 DOI: 10.1039/C8QM00623G

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