PVP intercalated metallic WSe2 as NIR photothermal agents for efficient tumor ablation

Abstract

Transition metal dichalogenides (TMDCs) with unique layered structures hold promising potential as transducers for photothermal therapy. However, the low photothermal conversion efficiency and poor stability in some cases limit their practical applications. Herein, we demonstrate the fabrication of ultrathin homogeneous hybridized TMDC nanosheets and their use for highly efficient photothermal tumor ablation. In particular, the nanosheets were composed of metallic WSe2 intercalated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), which was facilely prepared through a solvothermal process from the mixture of selenourea crystals, WCl6 powder along with PVP polymeric nanogel. Our characterizations revealed that the obtained nanosheets exhibited excellent photothermal conversion efficiency, therapeutic demonstration with improved biocompatibility and physiological stability attributing to the combined merits of metallic phase of WSe2 and hydrophilic PVP insertion. Both the histological analysis of vital organs and in vitro/in vivo tests confirmed the nanosheets as actively effective and biologically safe in this phototherapeutic technique. Findings from this non-invasive experiment clearly emphasize the explorable therapeutic efficacy of the layered-based hybrid agents in future cancer treatment planning procedures.