Excellent Photothermal Properties Research Articles

Hydrogen-bonded organic framework for fire-safe epoxy composite with photochromic properties and rapid de-icing capability

Multifunctionalized epoxy resin (EP) composites are essential for advancing technological innovation across various applications. One efficient method to achieve this is through the development of multifunctional EP fillers. In this work, 2,4,6-tri(pyridin-4-yl)pyridine (Tripp) as electron acceptor and phosphoric acid as electron donor are self-assembled to form a donor–acceptor (D-A) type hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF, named P-HOF) using a solvent volatilization method. P-HOF exhibits excellent photochromic and photothermal properties under 365 nm UV irradiation. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis confirms the generation of viologen radicals, and the internal electron transfer mechanism of P-HOF is further elucidated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Furthermore, incorporating 3 wt% P-HOF into EP as a filler results in an EP/P-HOF composite that not only retains excellent photochromic and photothermal properties but also demonstrates rapid de-icing and outstanding flame retardancy. The EP/P-HOF coating demonstrates a de-icing efficiency that is 3.83 times higher than that of pure EP coatings. Compared to pure EP, the EP/P-HOF significantly reduced the peak heat release rate (pHRR), total heat release (THR), and peak smoke production rate (pSPR) by 55.0 %, 19.6 %, and 29.6 %, respectively.

Construction of aptamers-modified plasmonic GO/urchin-like Au nanoparticles with enhanced photothermal performance and their efficient capture and elimination of Staphylococcus aureus

Here, aptamers-modified graphene oxide/urchin-like Au nanoparticles (Apt-GUANPs) were developed for efficient capture and photothermal therapy (PTT) of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Specifically, anisotropic UANPs were first prepared, and the excellent photothermal property was related to the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in the near infrared (NIR) region caused by sharp branching. Then GO, which was used to enhance the photothermal effect, was added and assembled into GUANPs by electrostatic action. Infrared images showed that GUANPs exhibited a stronger photothermal effect than UANPs. Under the irradiation of 808 nm laser, the photothermal conversion efficiency (η) of GUANPs was as high as 40.5 %, which was attributed to the enhanced optical response of GUANPs at 808 nm and the strong plasmonic coupling effect between tightly packed UANPs loaded on GO surfaces. Aptamers were modified on the surfaces of GUANPs for specific capture of S. aureus, with the capture efficiency of up to 72 %. Utilizing the specific capture ability of aptamers and the excellent photothermal property of GUANPs, Apt-GUANPs exhibited the strong photothermal killing ability against S. aureus. Therefore, Apt-GUANPs will be a promising and efficient photothermal agent, and will have a great application prospect in the treatment of bacterial infections in the future.

Polysaccharide Based Self-Driven Tubular Micro/Nanomotors as a Comprehensive Platform for Quercetin Loading and Anti-inflammatory Function.

Quercetin (QR) is a natural flavonoid with strong anti-inflammatory properties, but it suffers from poor water solubility and bioavailability. Micro/nanomotors (NMs) are tiny devices that convert external energy or chemical fuels into an autonomous motion. They are characterized by their small size, rapid movement, and self-assembly capabilities, which can enhance the delivery of bioactive ingredients. The study synthesized natural polysaccharide-based nanotubes (NTs) using a layer-by-layer self-assembly method and combined with urease (Ure), glucose oxidase (GOx), and Fe3O4 to create three types of NMs. These NMs were well-dispersed and biocompatible. In vitro experiments showed that NMs-Fe3O4 has excellent photothermal conversion properties and potential for use in photothermal therapy. Cellular inflammation model results demonstrated that QR-loaded NMs were not only structurally stable but also improved bioavailability and effectively inhibited the release of inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β and IL-6, providing a safe and advanced carrier system for the effective use of bioactive components in food.

TiN/acetylene black composite coatings: Enhanced durability and superhydrophobicity for all-day anti-Icing applications

Current advancements in anti-icing coatings emphasize the integration of photothermal, electrothermal, and superhydrophobic features to significantly enhance de-icing efficiency. However, these multifaceted coatings often involve intricate preparation methods and costly materials, making them susceptible to damage and reduced durability. This research aims to overcome these challenges by combining active and passive anti-icing principles to achieve full-time efficient anti-icing. A novel strategy is devised to modify the wettability of epoxy resins by grafting a fluorinated oligomer using a curing agent bridging technique. By utilizing micron-sized Titanium Nitride (TiN) and nanosized Acetylene Black fillers within a fluorine-modified epoxy resin, applied through a simple spray technique, the resulting coating exhibits excellent photothermal, electrothermal, and superhydrophobic properties. Evaluations confirm the coating’s robust mechanical durability for extended operational use and its stabilized effectiveness in photothermal and electrothermal de-icing. Notably, this approach maintains electrical conductivity by eliminating the filler hydrophobic modification, also enhancing the mechanical performance of nanocarbon-based multifunctional anti-icing coatings. Moreover, it simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces cost of coating materials, and enables broad application across various substrate surfaces.

Principle of vanadium doping-induced MoS2 homojunction effect and mechanism analysis of antibacterial process under near-infrared light

MoS2 exhibits unique physical and chemical properties in its 1 T and 2H phases. Each phase has its inherent advantages and limitations. Although several biochemical properties of MoS2 have been extensively reported, the specific impacts of these phases on photothermal and antibacterial performance, the feasibility of integrating the unique advantages of both phases and the underlying dominant bactericidal mechanisms are still largely unexplored. In this work, the electronic-structural relationships of 1 T- and 2H-MoS2 were first simulated using density functional theory (DFT), which provided unique insights into how these phases affect performance. Based on these insights, a solid-state coupling interface and built-in electric field were designed between the two phases, and a 1 T/2H MoS2 homojunction was synthesized using the hydrothermal method, achieving a higher carrier separation efficiency and exhibiting excellent photothermal and antibacterial properties. Subsequently, further attempts were made to adjust the electronic structure by doping vanadium atoms. This doping not only introduces additional electrons to facilitate electron transfer but also further enhances the antibacterial capability by creating surface defects that increase the number of active sites. Finally, the synergistic antibacterial mechanism of this system was thoroughly investigated through detailed experiments and DFT theoretical analysis. The design of the homojunction, the introduction of defects, and the incorporation of heteroatoms were discussed in this paper, which pave the way for the rational design strategy of advanced two-dimensional materials and can be extended to other polycrystalline materials.

Gambogic acid and IR780 self-assembled nanoparticles for combined chemo-phototherapy

Combined chemo-phototherapy has shown considerable advantages and potential in cancer treatment. For this purpose, self-assembled nanoparticles by gambogic acid (GA) and IR780 (referred to as GA-IR780 NPs) were prepared. Herein, GA, an active compound derived from Garcinia hanburyi Hook.f, was selected as a chemo-agent. IR780 was used as a photothermal agent as well as a photosensitizer, which could kill tumor cells via photothermal effect and photodynamic effect. The obtained GA-IR780 NPs were uniform spheres with particle size of ca. 50 nm. The drug loading efficiency of GA and IR780 was 38.42 % and 56.64 %, respectively. The GA-IR780 NPs exhibited excellent photothermal properties as well as photodynamic effect when irradiated by near infrared (NIR) light (808 nm, 2.0 W/cm2). Moreover, the GA-IR780 NPs showed enhanced cytotoxicity with NIR light activation. Results of animal experiments showed that GA-IR780 NPs had the most significant tumor inhibition when irradiated by laser, and the results of H&E, Ki-67 and TUNEL staining confirmed that the GA-IR780 NPs+Laser group caused the most severe tumor tissue damage. The above results indicated that GA-mediated chemotherapy combining with IR780-based phototherapy could significantly improve the anti-tumor efficacy.

A novel solar-driven thermogalvanic cell with integrated heat storage capabilities

Low-grade heat sources like solar thermal radiation offer a vast energy resource. However, their low utilization rate limits energy recovery and conversion efficiency. Solar thermogalvanic cells, utilizing solar thermal radiation as a heat source, are considered an effective way to harness solar energy. However, their widespread application is hindered by performance instability due to periodic solar radiation fluctuations. This study developed composite electrodes with high conductivity, excellent photothermal properties, and heat storage capabilities, and applied them in thermogalvanic cells. Compared to traditional thermal chemical cells, the new heat storage electrode materials significantly enhance the stability and energy output efficiency. The results show that under temperature fluctuations, the new thermal chemical cells (EG/SA/LA-TGCs) significantly improve power output stability. The temperature difference increased from 6 °C to 17 °C, with the open-circuit voltage rising to 32 mV. Thanks to the electrodes’ heat storage and release capability, the heat released by the electrodes sustains the cell’s power generation. The discharge duration per unit volume of the electrode reached 12.74 min/cm3, 15 times longer than traditional thermal chemical cells.

Study on three-dimensional porous carbon fiber-MWCNTs-PEG phase change materials and its photo/electricity-thermal conversion performance

Solar energy, as a crucial green energy source, attracted significant attention. Phase change materials (PCMs) addressed the intermittency issue by storing and releasing latent heat. This study innovatively combined carbon fibers (CFs), phenolic resin, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to create high-loading (>86 %) and high-enthalpy composite CF-based phase change materials (CFPCMs), with melting and freezing enthalpies of 156.6 J/g and 148.6 J/g. CFPCMs demonstrated excellent photothermal and electrothermal properties. The lightweight, porous CFs structure stabilized the PCMs matrix, enhancing its performance while facilitating the reuse of waste CFs products, thus contributing to environmental protection.

Photothermal and host immune activated therapy of cutaneous tuberculosis using macrophage targeted mesoporous polydopamine nanoparticles

Tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading cause of deaths among infectious diseases worldwide. Cutaneous Tuberculosis (CTB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection in the skin, is still a harmful public health issue that requires more effective treatment strategy. Herein, we introduced mannose-modified mesoporous polydopamine nanosystems (Man-mPDA NPs) as the macrophage-targeted vectors to deliver anti-TB drug rifampicin and as photothermal agent to facilitate photothermal therapy (PTT) against Mtb infected macrophages for synergistic treatment of CTB. Based on the selective macrophage targeting effects, the proposed Rif@Man-mPDA NPs also showed excellent photothermal properties to develop Rif@Man-mPDA NPs-mediated PTT for intracellular Mtb killings in macrophages. Importantly, Rif@Man-mPDA NPs could inhibit the immune escape of Mtb by effectively chelating intracellular Fe2+ and inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and up-regulating GPX4 expression to inhibit ferroptosis of Mtb infected macrophages through activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. Moreover, Rif@Man-mPDA NPs-mediated PTT could effectively activate host cell immune responses by promoting autophagy of Mtb infected macrophages, which thus synergizes targeted drug delivery and ferroptosis inhibition for more effective intracellular Mtb clearance. This Rif@Man-mPDA NPs-mediated PTT strategy could also effectively inhibit the Mtb burdens and alleviate the pathological lesions induced by Mtb infection without significant systemic side effects in mouse CTB model. These results indicate that Rif@Man-mPDA NPs-mediated PTT can be served as a novel anti-TB strategy against CTB by synergizing macrophage targeted photothermal therapy and host immune defenses, thus holding promise for more effective treatment strategy development against CTB.

Fabricating FeS2/Mn0.3Cd0.7S S-scheme heterojunction for enhanced photothermal-assisted photocatalytic H2 evolution under full-spectrum light

To effectively harness solar energy, the rational construction and development of full-spectrum photocatalysts has become an appealing challenge. In this study, a novel full-spectrum responsive FeS2/Mn0.3Cd0.7S (FS/MCS) S-scheme photocatalyst was obtained by attaching FeS2 nanoparticles with excellent photothermal properties on Mn0.3Cd0.7S nanorods. The photocatalytic hydrogen production rate of the optimal FS/MCS composite was 52.017 mmol·g−1·h−1 under full-spectrum irradiation, which was 3.88 times that of pure MCS. Based on the experimental results and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the enhanced photoactivity of FS/MCS was attributed to the synergetic effects of photothermal and S-scheme heterojunction. The photothermal effect of FeS2 could convert the near infrared light to heat, which elevated the local temperature of photocatalyst particles, thereby promoting the photocatalytic reaction. Meanwhile, the S-scheme heterojunction between FeS2 and Mn0.3Cd0.7S accelerated the charge transfer and suppressed the recombination of electron-hole pairs, thereby enabling efficient charge separation while maintaining high redox potentials. This work offers a novel perspective on constructing a full-spectrum-driven photothermal-assisted photocatalytic H2 evolution system though the dual effects of photothermal and heterojunction.

Multifunctional Adaptable Injectable TiN-Based Hydrogels for Antitumor and Antidrug-Resistant Bacterial Therapy.

The close relationship between bacteria and tumors has recently attracted increasing attention, and an increasing number of resources are being invested in the research and development of biomedical materials designed for the treatment of both. In this study, prefabricated TiN nanodots (NDs) and Fe(CO)5 nanoparticles are combined into sodium alginate (ALG) hydrogels to create a biomedical material for the topical treatment of breast cancer and subcutaneous abscesses, and a pseudocatalytic hydrogel with intrinsic photothermal and antibacterial activities is synthesized. TiN+Fe(CO)5+ALG hydrogels are used to determine the ability of Fe(CO)5 to promote CO production. Moreover, TiN NDs catalyze the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from hydrogen peroxide in tumor microenvironments and exhibit excellent photothermal conversion properties. After local injection of the TiN+Fe(CO)5+ALG hydrogel into subcutaneous tumors and subcutaneous abscesses, and two-zone near-infrared (NIR-II) irradiation, tumor cells and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are effectively removed by the hydrogel, the mouse epidermis exhibiting complete recovery within 8 d, indicating that this hydrogel exhibits better antibacterial efficacy than the small-molecule antibiotic penicillin. This study demonstrates the potential of novel hydrogels for antitumor and antimicrobial combination therapy and aims to provide design ideas for the research and development of multifunctional antitumor and antimicrobial drug combinations.

Multifunctional FFP2 Face Mask for White Light Disinfection and Pathogens Detection using Hybrid Nanostructures and Optical Metasurfaces.

A new generation of an FFP2 (Filtering Face Piece of type 2) smart face mask is achieved by integrating broadband hybrid nanomaterials and a self-assembled optical metasurface. The multifunctional FFP2 face mask shows simultaneously white light-assisted on-demand disinfection properties and versatile biosensing capabilities. These properties are achieved by a powerful combination of white light thermoplasmonic responsive hybrid nanomaterials, which provide excellent photo-thermal disinfection properties, and optical metasurface-based colorimetric biosensors, with a very low limit of pathogens detection. The realized system is studied in optical, morphological, spectroscopic, and cell viability assay experiments and environmental monitoring of harmful pathogens, thus highlighting the extraordinary properties in reusability and pathogens detection of the innovative face mask.

Eco-friendly bionic superwetting Janus membranes prepared from paper-based laser-induced graphene for photothermal anti-icing and on-demand oil–water separation

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) from carbon precursors is used in the manufacture of semiconductors, energy and biomedical devices. To expand its field of applications, there is a strong need to explore LIG conversion of eco-friendly precursors. An approach combining bionic structures and surface modification on paper-based LIG was investigated for producing asymmetric superwetting Janus membranes. Molecular dynamic simulation illustrates the paper-based LIG conversion mechanism. The Octadecanethiol-modified bionic crescent-shaped LIG surface exhibited superhydrophobic performance, the water contact angle (WCA) is 157° and the water sliding angle (WSA) is 3.5°. The plasma-modified LIG surface was superhydrophilic with the WCA of 0°. The Janus membranes were demonstrated for high-efficient separation of light oil–water and heavy oil–water mixtures. Furthermore, the superhydrophobic surface of the Janus membranes with excellent photothermal properties exhibited superior anti-icing capability. The proposed approach for fabrication of bionic Janus membranes would provide an eco-friendly solution to LIG applications.

The efficacy and safety of pH-responsive and photothermal-sensitive multifunctional nanoparticles loaded with cryptotanshinone for the treatment of gastric cancer.

A multifunctional polydopamine/mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded cryptotanshinone (PDA/MSN@CTS) was synthesized and subjected to investigating its physicochemical properties and anti-gastric cancer (GC) effects. Utilizing network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques, CTS was identified as our final research target. The structural morphology and physicochemical properties of PDA/MSN@CTS were examined. Near-infrared (NIR) laser was employed to evaluate the photothermal properties of the PDA/MSN@CTS, along with pH-responsive and NIR-triggered release assessments. In vitro experiments evaluated the impact of PDA/MSN@CTS on the malignant behavior of AGS gastric cells. A subcutaneous tumor model was further established to evaluate the in vivo safety of PDA/MSN@CTS. Furthermore, the in vivo photothermal efficacy of PDA/MSN@CTS, in addition to its combined effect with photothermal therapy (PTT), was investigated. Uniform and stable PDA/MSN@CTS had been successfully synthesized and demonstrated efficient release under tumor environment and NIR irradiation. Upon increasing NIR laser conditions, in vivo cytotoxicity, apoptosis rate, reactive oxygen species scavenging ability, and suppression of migration and invasion of AGS cells by PDA/MSN@CTS were significantly enhanced. In vivo assessments revealed excellent blood compatibility and biosafety of PDA/MSN@CTS, alongside robust tumor tissue targeting. Combining nanoparticles with PTT facilitated the anti-GC effects of PDA/MSN@CTS. Compared to free drugs, PDA/MSN@CTS exhibits higher selectivity towards cancer cells, demonstrating effective anticancer activity and biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, our nanomaterial possesses excellent photothermal properties, and under NIR conditions, PDA/MSN@CTS exhibits synergistic therapeutic effects.

Superhydrophobic photothermal evaporator based on MoS2 nanoflowers for efficient solar desalination

Solar desalination is a promising solution to address global water scarcity. In this study, a novel superhydrophobic photothermal evaporator based on MoS2 nanoflowers, known for their excellent photothermal conversion properties, was developed. The evaporator is coated with 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-Perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (PFDTES) to create superhydrophobic structures, which are then loaded onto a macroporous non-woven fabric (NWF) to facilitate efficient steam release. The hydrophobic PFDTES coating effectively prevents salt crystallization, ensuring long-term desalination. The developed device demonstrates an exceptional solar steam generation performance of 1.52 kg m−2 h−1 with an evaporation efficiency of up to 87.1 %. This evaporator offers a promising solution to water scarcity challenges due to its high evaporation efficiency, impressive durability, and low-cost.

Micro-structure design of black ceramic composite surface towards photothermal superhydrophobic anti-icing

Conventional superhydrophobic surfaces have limitations in the melting and icing process in response to ambient temperature. In this study, we fabricated a composite coating using plasma-etched black ceramic as a low layer on the surface of AZ31 magnesium alloy, and loaded-polydimethylsiloxane nanoparticles (PDMS NPs) as a top layer to achieve a photothermal and superhydrophobic anti-icing. The absorbance and forbidden bandwidth of the ceramic layer exhibit the excellent photothermal properties of solid solution (Mg1-XCuXO). The ceramic phase exhibits a bandgap of 3.62 eV and achieves a temperature of up to 69.4 °C, demonstrating desirable light absorption and photothermal properties. The microstructure and polar bonds of Si-O-Si provide excellent superhydrophobic properties, allowing the surface contact angle to reach 156°. The wetting of water droplets on the composite coating’s surface is simulated using molecular dynamics, which is consistent with experimental findings and emphasizes the coating’s exceptional superhydrophobic. Additionally, the transition process between Cassie-Baxter and Wenzel was analyzed by researching the dynamic icing and ice-melting processes. This composite surface converts light energy into heat, melts snow/ice, and uses hydrophobicity to promptly desorb it from the surface, enabling a photothermal active and superhydrophobic passive anti-icing strategy.

A novel multimodal aptasensor for Patulin detection in fruit products based on high-performance RuMOF@hydrogel and versatile pericarp-derived carbonized polymer dots

Patulin (PAT) is a widespread fruit toxin. Trace-level PAT exposure can cause serious harm to human health. Herein, a multimodal PAT aptasensor was designed based on Ru(bpy)32+-based metal organic framework composited hydrogel (RuMOF@hydrogel) and versatile banana peel-derived carbonized polymer dots (BPPDs). RuMOF@hydrogel modified magnetic-electrode exhibited excellent anodic and cathodic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) emission and stability. Meanwhile, the BPPDs could enhance anodic ECL of RuMOF@hydrogel, and also show excellent fluorescence (FL) and photothermal (PT) properties. With the aid of PAT-triggered hybridization chain reaction and magnetic separation, ECL, FL, and PT responses could be recorded concurrently. The detection limit can reach as low as 0.25 fg mL−1. The ratiometric ECL quantitation ensured the sensitivity and accuracy of this assay. And visual FL and portable PT modes contributed to the utility. Furthermore, this aptasensor demonstrated better performances than HPLC in fruit products and the protocol can be extended to determine various contaminants in foods.

Iron-copper bimetallic photo-Fenton system promoted photothermal-hydrogen peroxide production for efficient low-temperature wastewater treatment

Enhancing the velocity of the oxidation–reduction cycle is crucial for improving the catalytic efficiency of Fenton processes. Therefore, the development of an effective strategy for wastewater degradation at low temperatures is essential. In this context, we present the preparation of an NH2-MIL-88B (Fe)/CuInS2 S-scheme heterojunction. Specifically, CuInS2 nanoparticles are introduced onto the Ferro-organic skeleton, resulting in the exposure of a significant number of active surface sites. Furthermore, NH2-MIL-88B (Fe)/CuInS2 demonstrates an extended photoresponse into the long-wavelength region, which contributes to its excellent photothermal properties. Notably, the degradation rate of tetracycline in low-temperature aqueous environments reaches as high as 99.7 %, several times higher than that of the original sample. Additionally, the hydrogen production of NH2-MIL-88B (Fe)/CuInS2 is 2.23 times that of single NH2-MIL-88B (Fe) and 3.46 times that of single CuInS2. Moreover, the system exhibits good H2O2 evolution performance, forming an efficient photo-Fenton system. The charge transfer process in S-scheme heterojunction is confirmed using in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance. Both transient photoluminescence and photo electrochemical tests further validate the enhanced photoelectrochemical properties of the NH2-MIL-88B (Fe)/CuInS2 S-scheme heterojunction. The exceptional performance of this system can be attributed to the synergistic effects of the S-scheme heterojunction and the bimetallic codoped photo-Fenton system. This research presents a novel approach for the breakdown of low-temperature wastewater using an improved photocatalytic Fenton system.

Bimetallic loaded ZIF-8 with peroxidase-like and photothermal activities for sensitive detection and efficient elimination of Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes is one of the main causes of bacterial infectious diseases, posing a grave threat to food safety and global public health. Therefore, sensitive and accurate detection and efficient elimination of L. monocytogenes to prevent secondary pollution is of great significance and necessary. Herein, a nanocomposite ZIF-8@Au@Pt NPs was synthesized with excellent peroxidase-like (POD) activity, SERS property and photothermal conversion property. ZIF-8@Au@Pt NPs was further cloaked with a specific aptamer (Apt2), thus presenting precise recognition to L. monocytogenes. Magnetic beads with good separation and enrichment effect were modified with another specific aptamer (Apt1), a sandwich complex was then obtained based on the high affinity of aptamers to L. monocytogenes. The supernatant containing unreacted ZIF-8@Au@Pt NPs were capable of oxidizing colorless 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) into blue oxTMB in the presence of H2O2, thus enabling colorimetric testing. Meanwhile, the generated oxTMB exhibited a distinct SERS fingerprint, realizing accurate detection of L. monocytogenes through dual-mode (colorimetric and SERS), with respective detection limits of 7 CFU/mL and 5 CFU/mL. Moreover, ZIF-8@Au@Pt NPs demonstrated exceptional photothermal conversion ability (η = 71.72 %) under a near-infrared irradiation. Approaching 100 % bactericidal effect was obtained within 2 min on the precipitates by combining its function of producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the near-infrared photothermal property, effectively avoiding secondary pollution. The present study presented a novel approach for realizing sensitive and accurate detection and subsequent eradication of L. monocytogenes.

Illuminating the fight against breast cancer: Preparation and visualized photothermal therapy of hyaluronic acid coated ZIF-8 loading with indocyanine green and cryptotanshinone for triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by higher recurrence rate and mortality. Thermally-mediated ablation via photothermal therapy (PTT) demonstrates considerable promise for the eradication of breast cancer. Nonetheless, the efficacy of PTT is impeded by the thermal tolerance of tumor cells, which is attributed to the augmented expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs). These proteins, which function as ATP-dependent molecular chaperones, confer protection to cancer cells against the cytotoxic heat generated during PTT. Glycolysis is an important way for breast cancer cells to produce ATP, which can promote the occurrence and development of lung metastasis of breast cancer. Therefore, inhibiting glycolysis may diminish the expression of HSPs, curtail the growth of breast cancer, and prevent its metastasis. Glycolytic metabolism plays a pivotal role in the ATP biosynthesis within breast cancer cells, facilitating the progression and dissemination of pulmonary metastases. Consequently, targeting glycolysis presents a strategic approach to HSP expression, the proliferation of breast cancer, and impede its metastatic spread. Herein, we designed an indocyanine green (ICG) and cryptotanshinone (CTS) loaded hyaluronic acid (HA) coated Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) drug delivery system. The drug delivery system had excellent photothermal properties, which could reach temperature sufficient for photothermal ablation of tumor cells. (ICG + CTS)@HA-ZIF-8 also showed pH-responsive drug release, enhancing the sustained release of ICG and CTS to extend their systemic circulation duration. Moreover, the HA modification of ZIF-8 served to augment its targeting capabilities both in vitro and in vivo, leveraging the enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect, as well as active tumor targeting via the CD44 receptor pathway, resulting in a higher drug concentration and a better therapeutic effect in tumor. (ICG + CTS)@HA-ZIF-8 could downregulate the expression of glycolysis-related protein pyruvate kinase-M2 (PKM2), thereby inhibiting the glycolysis process, further suppressing tumor cell energy metabolism, downregulating the expression of HSPs, overcoming tumor cell heat resistance, and improving PTT effect. It exhibited a notable suppressive impact on both the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells, potentially offering innovative insights for the visualized PTT in breast cancer treatment.