Superior Photothermal Conversion Efficiency Research Articles

Finely tunable NIR‐II organic scaffolds for fluorescence/photoacoustic duplex imaging–guided noninvasive photothermal therapy of glioblastoma

AbstractOrganic agents possessing NIR‐II and photoacoustic duplex imaging capabilities, coupled with high‐efficiency photothermal conversion, offer significant potential for noninvasive and precise phototheranostics of glioblastoma, which is further augmented when these agents can concurrently exhibit tumor targeting and blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability. This study reports a series of finely tunable NIR‐II molecular luminophores based on the aza‐BODIPY scaffold, featuring unique twisted and rotatable structures. They are further constructed to folate‐decorated polymeric nanoparticles, exhibiting remarkable NIR‐II/photoacoustic imaging performance and superior photothermal conversion efficiency (49.7%). Folate modification enables tumor targeting and BBB permeability through receptor‐mediated transcytosis, allowing for precise and efficient phototherapy in 4T1‐/glioblastoma‐bearing mice after a single intravenous injection and irradiation. This study presents a rational molecular engineering approach and a versatile structural scaffold for designing NIR‐II emitters with tailored photophysical properties and desirable phototherapeutic efficacy, thereby offering novel perspectives on the development of advanced depth imaging probes and brain tumor therapeutics.

Preparation and photothermal properties of latent functional thermal fluid based on size-controllable phase change nanocapsules

To improve the solar heat utilization efficiency of working fluid in direct solar collector, a novel latent functional thermal fluid (LFTF) based on self-designed 1-octadecanol@silica phase change nanocapsules (NEPCMs) with excellent heat storage capacity and photothermal conversion efficiency were prepared. The NEPCMs prepared by sol–gel method were dispersed in water containing multi-walled carbon nanoparticles to prepare the LFTF. The prepared NEPCMs have high encapsulation efficiency (85.12 %) and melting phase change enthalpy (235.1 J/g), controllable particle size (27.13–167.30 nm), excellent thermal stability and cycle stability. The LFTF containing 10 wt% NEPCMs was considered the optimal choice for its excellent dispersion stability (zeta potential 35.63 mV), thermal storage capacity (peak specific heat capacity 5.11 J·g−1·K−1) and superior photothermal conversion efficiency (up to 98 %), which is roughly 3.29 times that of water. These results offer valuable insights for the future development of LFTF in the field of solar thermal applications.

Construction and evaluation of a folate-mediated adriamycin phosphorene thermosensitive hydrogel delivery system against osteosarcoma

The management of osteosarcoma presents a significant challenge, and the creation of an intelligent synergistic drug delivery system is broadly acknowledged as a promising approach to therapy. Hence, in this study, a temperature-sensitive hydrogel containing DOX-loaded and folic acid-modified BPNSs that can be injected was developed to enable drug release via a pH/NIR response, aimed at synergistic photothermal‒chemotherapeutic treatment of osteosarcoma. The active targeting of BPNSs-PEG-FA/DOX involved liquid-phase stripping and electrostatic adsorption, leading to the preparation of the BPNSs-PEG-FA/DOX aqueous dispersion hybrid hydrogel matrix as a BPNSs-PEG-FA/DOX@Hydrogel through a cold method. This composite hydrogel exhibits favorable through-needle properties, superior photothermal conversion efficiency, pH/NIR intelligent responsiveness, and controlled delayed-release drug release capabilities, along with favorable in vitro cellular biocompatibility. It also demonstrates effective in vitro and in vivo active targeting, controlled delayed release, and synergistic photothermal-chemotherapeutic anti-osteosarcoma activity, showing considerable promise for the treatment of superficial tumors such as osteosarcoma.

Multifunctional Fe3O4@CuS nanoparticle-driven colorimetric and photothermal immunochromatographic test strip for the sensitive detection of Salmonella typhimurium in milk

Magnetic nanoparticles are widely employed as signal labeling reporters in immunochromatographic test strips (ICTS) for detecting foodborne pathogens due to their outstanding anti-interference and magnetic enrichment performance. However, the insufficient colorimetric signal brightness of magnetic nanoparticles results in poor sensitivity, hindering their ability to meet the growing demand for advanced ICTS. Herein, we synthesized Fe3O4@CuS core-shell structure nanoparticles using a facile in-situ growth method. These Fe3O4@CuS nanoparticles exhibit a superior photothermal conversion efficiency of 42.12 % and a magnetization strength of 35 emu/g. We developed a dual-readout format ICTS based on Fe3O4@CuS, incorporating both colorimetric and photothermal formats to enhance sensitivity for Salmonella typhimurium detection. The limit of detection for Fe3O4@CuS-ICTS in the colorimetric and photothermal format was 5 × 10⁴ CFU/mL and 7.7 × 10³ CFU/mL, respectively. Additionally, the average recoveries ranged from 91.25 % to 103.39 %, with variations from 2.2 % to 11.1 %, demonstrating good accuracy and precision. Therefore, this work suggests that Fe3O4@CuS nanoparticles, with their superior magnetic, optical, and photothermal properties, can serve as promising signal labeling reporters to improve the detection performance of ICTS and hold potential for constructing more accurate and sensitive point-of-care testing platforms.

Simultaneous efficient evaporation and stable electricity generation enabled by a wooden evaporator based on composite photothermal effect

The current solar interfacial evaporators have limited evaporation performance due to their single photothermal mechanism, insufficient light utilization, and improper heat management. Therefore, a novel approach involving polypyrrole (PPy) and Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) modified wooden evaporator (AgPW) using an in-situ polymerization and growth method was proposed for efficient and sustainable freshwater purification. The composite photothermal effect of PPy and AgNPs led to a significantly enhanced light absorption capacity and superior photothermal conversion efficiency in a wide spectrum range, which coupled with the rapid water transport capacity conferred by the regular vertical channels and superior hydrophilicity of the delignified wood, resulted in remarkable evaporation performance through the coordinated regulation of thermal and water management. The optimized AgPW50 achieved an evaporation rate of up to 2.04 kg m−2 h−1 and an evaporation efficiency of 90.7 % under 1 kW m−2 irradiation. Importantly, this evaporator was highly salt resistant and long-term desalination stability, and can also be extended to the purification of various types of wastewaters while converting the released waste heat into stable electricity generation. The innovative Ag/PPy wooden evaporator integrates biomass resources with solar energy utilization, demonstrating an environmentally friendly, efficient and cost-effective strategy for seawater desalination and energy production, providing a new sustainable development pathway to solve the challenge of balancing water security and energy consumption.

Cobalt doped Prussian blue modified hollow polydopamine for enhanced antibacterial therapy

Give the emergence of drug resistance in bacteria resulting from antibiotic misuse, there is an urgent need for research and application of novel antibacterial approaches. In recent years, nanoparticles (NPs) have garnered significant attention due to their potential to disrupt bacteria cellular structure through loading drugs and special mechanisms, thus rendering them inactive. In this study, the surface of hollow polydopamine (HPDA) NPs was utilized for the growth of Prussian blue (PB), resulting in the formation of HPDA-PB NPs. Incorporation of Co element during the preparation process led to partial doping of PB with Co2+ ions. The performance test results demonstrated that the HPDA-PB NPs exhibited superior photothermal conversion efficiency and peroxidase-like activity compared to PB NPs. HPDA-PB NPs have the ability to catalyze the formation of hydroxyl radicals from H2O2 in a weakly acidic environment. Due to the tiny PB particles on the surface and the presence of Co2+ doping, they have strong broad-spectrum antibacterial properties. Both in vitro and in vivo evaluations confirm their efficacy against various bacterial strains, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, and their potential to promote wound healing, making them a promising candidate for advanced wound care and antimicrobial applications.

Thermoelectric-Feedback Nanocomposite Hydrogel for Temperature-Synchronized Monitoring and Regulation in Accurate Photothermal Therapy.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising approach for tumor ablation and cancer treatment. However, controlling the therapeutic temperature during treatment remains challenging, and imprecise thermal regulation can harm adjacent healthy tissues, reduce therapeutic accuracy, and promote the thermotolerance of cellular phenotypes, potentially leading to tumor invasion and recurrence. Although existing methods provide basic temperature control by adjusting irradiation power and photothermal agent dosing, they lack real-time temperature monitoring and feedback control capabilities, underscoring the urgent need for more integrated and precise PTT systems. In this context, an innovative photothermoelectric (PTE) cobalt-infused chitosan (CS) nanocomposite hydrogel (PTE-Co@CS) is developed for precise temperature-regulated PTT, exhibiting desirable mechanical properties and exceptional biocompatibility. Enhanced by embedded nanoparticles, PTE-Co@CS demonstrates superior photothermal conversion efficiency compared with existing methods, while also featuring thermoelectric responsiveness and increased sensitivity to photostimuli. Its advantageous PTE response characteristics ensure a linear correlation between temperature shifts and resistance changes (e.g., R2 = 0.99919 at 0.5Wcm⁻2), enabling synchronized qualitative and quantitative control of PTT temperature through electrical signal monitoring. This allows for real-time monitoring and regulation during PTT, effectively addressing the issue of uncontrollable temperatures and improving therapeutic efficacy.

Construction of PPS based carbon fiber photothermal foam for crude oil absorption and seawater desalination

Efficient and clean solar energy conversion through photothermal materials has garnered significant attention, finding applications across energy, environmental protection, and healthcare sectors. This project focused on developing waste PPS-based carbon fiber (PCF) foam, emphasizing the high-value utilization of waste fibers in solar photothermal oil-absorption and photothermal evaporation applications. With exceptional light-absorption capabilities exceeding 97 %, the PCF@PDMS foam demonstrated superior photothermal conversion efficiency alongside impressive mechanical properties, facilitating effective absorption of highly viscous crude oil. Through PVA/CNF hydrophilic modification, internal water supply channels were integrated into the mPCF@PDMS foam, optimizing the evaporation surface area by retaining hydrophobic regions. This design not only enhanced thermal insulation but also significantly increased the evaporation rate to 2.00 kg·m−2·h−1 with an efficiency of 89.89 % under 1.0 sun irradiation. The presence of hydrophobic regions endowed the evaporator with self-floating ability, enhancing its practicality. During simulations of seawater desalination, the prepared evaporator exhibited remarkable salt crystallization resistance attributed to the strong water supply capacity and Marangoni effect induced during saltwater evaporation, facilitating salt diffusion and water evaporation. Overall, the foams developed in this project hold substantial application potential in the realm of photothermal technology.

Simultaneous sterilization and biosensing of pathogenic bacteria via copper phthalocyanine-based COF embedded with Cu-N4 single atomic sites and silver nanoparticles

The efficient inactivation and sensitive detection of waste water and food stuffs polluted by pathogenic bacteria are vital for ensuring food safety and protecting people’s healthy. Herein, a 2D copper phthalocyanine-based covalent-organic framework (COF) embraced with Cu-N4 single atomic sites and silver nanoparticles (denoted as CuPc-Dha-COF@AgNPs) was employed as a bifunctional bioplatform for the efficient sterilization via the multi-modal antibacterial mechanism and the sensitive detection of pathogenic bacteria via the photocatalytic oxidization of glutathione (GSH) using a photoelectrochemical (PEC) technique. Given the superior photothermal conversion efficiency, the high production efficiency of reactive oxygen species, the enhanced H2O2 self-supplying capability, and the controlled release of Ag+ ions under near-infrared light irradiation (808 nm and 1.0 W cm−2), 100 % bacteria were eliminated by CuPc-Dha-COF@AgNPs (200 μg mL−1) at 24 h. Furthermore, the CuPc-Dha-COF@AgNPs-based PEC biosensing platform exhibited highly selective determination ability toward GSH because of its superior mimetic enzyme performance caused by Cu-N4 single atomic sites, narrow bandgap, wide photoabsorption performance, and high separation of photoinduced electrons and holes. It thus showed an ultralow detection limit of 99 fM toward GSH within wide range from 1.0 pM to 1.0 nM, as well as high selectivity, good stability and reproducibility, and promising practicality. This work provides a new strategy for the sterilization and sensitive detection of pathogenic bacteria, simultaneously implementing and monitoring measures for the water system and food safety.

Mild hyperthermia enhanced synergistic uric acid degradation and multiple ROS elimination for an effective acute gout therapy.

Acute gouty is caused by the excessive accumulation of Monosodium Urate (MSU) crystals within various parts of the body, which leads to a deterioration of the local microenvironment. This degradation is marked by elevated levels of uric acid (UA), increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, hypoxic conditions, an upsurge in pro-inflammatory mediators, and mitochondrial dysfunction. In this study, we developed a multifunctional nanoparticle of polydopamine-platinum (PDA@Pt) to combat acute gout by leveraging mild hyperthermia to synergistically enhance UA degradation and anti-inflammatory effect. Herein, PDA acts as a foundational template that facilitates the growth of a Pt shell on the surface of its nanospheres, leading to the formation of the PDA@Pt nanomedicine. Within this therapeutic agent, the Pt nanoparticle catalyzes the decomposition of UA and actively breaks down endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to produce O2, which helps to alleviate hypoxic conditions. Concurrently, the PDA component possesses exceptional capacity for ROS scavenging. Most significantly, Both PDA and Pt shell exhibit absorption in the Near-Infrared-II (NIR-II) region, which not only endow PDA@Pt with superior photothermal conversion efficiency for effective photothermal therapy (PTT) but also substantially enhances the nanomedicine's capacity for UA degradation, O2 production and ROS scavenging enzymatic activities. This photothermally-enhanced approach effectively facilitates the repair of mitochondrial damage and downregulates the NF-κB signaling pathway to inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The multifunctional nanomedicine PDA@Pt exhibits exceptional efficacy in UA reduction and anti-inflammatory effects, presenting a promising potential therapeutic strategy for the management of acute gout.

Promising two-dimensional rhenium diselenide nanosheets: Facile Preparation, characterization, in vivo tumor photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy

Nanoagent-mediated photothermal therapy (PTT) has been considered as an useful strategy for curing cancer. Nonetheless, identifying high-quality photothermal nanoagents with excellent biocompatibility testing, superior photothermal conversion efficiency (PTCE), and high treatment efficacy, is still a key dilemma for performing practical application in biomedicine field. In our work, a novel photothermal nanoagent named two-dimensional (2D) colloidal rhenium diselenide (ReSe2) nanosheets was exfoliated via a facile liqiud-assisted exfoliation approach. Owing to surface functionalization with poly-ethylene glycol (PEG), the obtained PEG-ReSe2 nanosheets demonstrated good solubility and excellent biocompatibility. Notably, the PEG-ReSe2 nanosheets showed excellent near infrared (NIR) photothermal activity. For the radiation of an NIR laser at 808 nm, an ultrahigh PTCE of 81.3% was demonstrated. Owing to its high Re element and good photoacoustic effect, the PEG-ReSe2 nanosheets can serve as good contrast nanoagents for in vivo photoacoustic (PA) imaging. Furthermore, the PEG-ReSe2 nanosheets acted as excellent photothermal agents (PTAs) for performing PTT. Thanks to high photothermal effects of PEG-ReSe2 nanosheets, in vitro photothermal effects showed that, the mortality rate of 4T1 cells was almost 100%. Meanwhile, in vivo experiments showed that mouse tumors were 100% ablated. More importantly, the PEG-ReSe2 nanosheets exhibited negligible levels of toxicity, as demonstrated by in vivo cytotoxicity assays and histological analysis. Finally, changes in micro-RNA expression level was proposed to assess PTT treatment efficacy of PEG-ReSe2 nanoagent. Interestingly, the miRNAs such as miR-125b-5p, miR-20a-5p, miR-214–3p, miR-221–3p, miR-212–3p and miR-27b-3p, were down-regulated. In addiiton, the miRNAs including miR-451a, miR200c-3p, and miR-let-7d-3p, were up-regulated. More importantly, these obtained miRNAs can work as typical indicators for screening PTT outcomes of PEG-ReSe2 nanosheets-involved PTT. Our research suggested that, the PEG-ReSe2 nanoagent may represent potential therapeutic nanoagents for in vivo photoacoustic imaging and cancer therapy.

The Influence of Light-Generated Radicals for Highly Efficient Solar-Thermal Conversion in an Ultra-Stable 2D Metal-Organic Assembly.

Solar-thermal water evaporation is a promising strategy for clean water production, which needs the development of solar-thermal conversion materials with both high efficiency and high stability. Herein, we reported an ultra-stable cobalt(II)-organic assembly NKU-123 with light-generated radicals, exhibiting superior photothermal conversion efficiency and high stability. Under the irradiation of 808 nm light, the temperature of NKU-123 rapidly increases from 25.5 to 215.1 °C in 6 seconds. The solar water evaporator based on NKU-123 achieves a high solar-thermal water evaporation rate of 1.442 and 1.299 kg m-2 h-1 under 1-sun irradiation with a water evaporation efficiency of 97.8 and 87.9 % for pure water and seawater, respectively. A detailed mechanism study revealed that the formation of light-generated radicals leads to an increase of spin density of NKU-123 for enhancing the photothermal effect, which provides insights into the design of highly efficient photothermal materials.

The Influence of Light‐Generated Radicals for Highly Efficient Solar‐Thermal Conversion in an Ultra‐Stable 2D Metal‐Organic Assembly

AbstractSolar‐thermal water evaporation is a promising strategy for clean water production, which needs the development of solar‐thermal conversion materials with both high efficiency and high stability. Herein, we reported an ultra‐stable cobalt(II)‐organic assembly NKU‐123 with light‐generated radicals, exhibiting superior photothermal conversion efficiency and high stability. Under the irradiation of 808 nm light, the temperature of NKU‐123 rapidly increases from 25.5 to 215.1 °C in 6 seconds. The solar water evaporator based on NKU‐123 achieves a high solar‐thermal water evaporation rate of 1.442 and 1.299 kg m−2 h−1 under 1‐sun irradiation with a water evaporation efficiency of 97.8 and 87.9 % for pure water and seawater, respectively. A detailed mechanism study revealed that the formation of light‐generated radicals leads to an increase of spin density of NKU‐123 for enhancing the photothermal effect, which provides insights into the design of highly efficient photothermal materials.

Synergistic Inter‐ and Intramolecular Aggregation of Dimeric Cyanine Dyes Affords Highly Efficient In Vivo Self‐Delivery and Photothermal Therapy

AbstractAdvancing photothermal therapy hinges on developing PTAs with robust in vivo delivery and therapeutic efficacy. However, effective molecular design approaches for high‐performance PTAs remain lacking. Herein a strategic design of dimeric heptamethine cyanine (Cy7) molecules is presented, covalently linked via ortho/meta/para‐phenyldithiol. These designs facilitate spontaneous nanoparticle assembly in water, attributed to efficient intermolecular aggregation, enhancing in vivo delivery. Additionally, aggregation between intramolecular Cy7 units promotes superior photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 74.1% for meta‐dimer. Remarkably, the para‐dimer variant not only achieves a high PCE of 61.1% but also exhibits the most effective pharmacokinetic profile, leading to unparalleled anticancer efficacy in vivo. This dual aggregation strategy, leveraging both inter‐ and intramolecular dynamics, equips dimeric Cy7 with superior self‐delivery and photothermal efficacy, offering a promising approach for the next generation of photothermal therapeutics.

Tuning Shortwave‐Infrared J‐aggregates of Aromatic Ring‐Fused Aza‐BODIPYs by Peripheral Substituents for Combined Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapies at Ultralow Laser Power

AbstractAchieving photothermal therapy (PTT) at ultralow laser power density is crucial for minimizing photo‐damage and allowing for higher maximum permissible skin exposure. However, this requires photothermal agents to possess not just superior photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE), but also exceptional near‐infrared (NIR) absorptivity. J‐aggregates, exhibit a significant redshift and narrower absorption peak with a higher extinction coefficient. Nevertheless, achieving predictable J‐aggregates through molecular design remains a challenge. In this study, we successfully induced desirable J‐aggregation (λabsmax: 968 nm, ϵ: 2.96×105 M−1 cm−1, λemmax: 972 nm, ΦFL: 6.2 %) by tuning electrostatic interactions between π‐conjugated molecular planes through manipulating molecular surface electrostatic potential of aromatic ring‐fused aza‐BODIPY dyes. Notably, by controlling the preparation method for encapsulating dyes into F‐127 polymer, we were able to selectively generate H‐/J‐aggregates, respectively. Furthermore, the J‐aggregates exhibited two controllable morphologies: nanospheres and nanowires. Importantly, the shortwave‐infrared J‐aggregated nanoparticles with impressive PCE of 72.9 % effectively destroyed cancer cells and mice‐tumors at an ultralow power density of 0.27 W cm−2 (915 nm). This phototherapeutic nano‐platform, which generates predictable J‐aggregation behavior, and can controllably form J‐/H‐aggregates and selectable J‐aggregate morphology, is a valuable paradigm for developing photothermal agents for tumor‐treatment at ultralow laser power density.

Tuning Shortwave-Infrared J-aggregates of Aromatic Ring-Fused Aza-BODIPYs by Peripheral Substituents for Combined Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapies at Ultralow Laser Power.

Achieving photothermal therapy (PTT) at ultralow laser power density is crucial for minimizing photo-damage and allowing for higher maximum permissible skin exposure. However, this requires photothermal agents to possess not just superior photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE), but also exceptional near-infrared (NIR) absorptivity. J-aggregates, exhibit a significant redshift and narrower absorption peak with a higher extinction coefficient. Nevertheless, achieving predictable J-aggregates through molecular design remains a challenge. In this study, we successfully induced desirable J-aggregation (λabs max : 968 nm, ϵ: 2.96×105 M-1 cm-1 , λem max : 972 nm, ΦFL : 6.2 %) by tuning electrostatic interactions between π-conjugated molecular planes through manipulating molecular surface electrostatic potential of aromatic ring-fused aza-BODIPY dyes. Notably, by controlling the preparation method for encapsulating dyes into F-127 polymer, we were able to selectively generate H-/J-aggregates, respectively. Furthermore, the J-aggregates exhibited two controllable morphologies: nanospheres and nanowires. Importantly, the shortwave-infrared J-aggregated nanoparticles with impressive PCE of 72.9 % effectively destroyed cancer cells and mice-tumors at an ultralow power density of 0.27 W cm-2 (915 nm). This phototherapeutic nano-platform, which generates predictable J-aggregation behavior, and can controllably form J-/H-aggregates and selectable J-aggregate morphology, is a valuable paradigm for developing photothermal agents for tumor-treatment at ultralow laser power density.

Highly Efficient Solar Steam Generation and Desalination through Gourd‐Flesh Templated Polypyrrole Composite

Solar steam generation (SSG) is regarded as a promising technique due to its potential in seawater desalination. Photothermal conversion materials derived from biomass are good evaporators for SSG because of their sustainability and high efficiency. Herein, 3D‐cylindrical‐structured composite materials based on gourd flesh and polypyrrole (GPPY) are designed and used for high efficient SSG. The polypyrrole layer is deposited on the gourd flesh to provide broad optical absorption ability and high photothermal conversion efficiency. In addition, gourd flesh with porous structure can act as thermal insulators, confine the generated heat within the evaporative surface, and facilitate the efficient transport of water to the photothermally active area. Based on these characteristics of the composite, the evaporator made of GPPY can achieve a high evaporation rate of (1.63 kg m−2 h−1), and a superior photothermal conversion efficiency 95.8% under 1 solar irradiation (1 kW m−2). The GPPY can be expected to be a practical photothermal conversion material for commercial SSG based on its high efficiency and sustainability.

Facial preparation of porous SACB hydrogel beads for efficient solar interface evaporation

This work presented a highly efficient, porous and floatable sodium alginate/carbon black (SACB) gel beads by instantaneous gelation method for photothermal interfacial evaporation. We thoroughly examined how NaHCO3 and CB affect the performance of photothermal evaporation. As a consequence, the ideal porous SACB gel beads displayed an exceptional evaporation rate of 1.39 kg m−2 h−1 and a superior photothermal conversion efficiency of 97.76 % under 1 sun illumination. Additionally, the resulted SACB gel beads maintained good recyclability even after 10 repeated evaporation cycles, and the fresh water collected after evaporation complies with WHO and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The SACB gel beads developed in this work have a remarkable capacity for photothermal conversion and would be a strong contender for solar-powered seawater desalination.

Construction of IO-B-TiO2/In2O3 S-scheme heterojunction with photothermal effects and its highly efficient photocatalytic reduction of CO2 under full-spectrum light

The conversion of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) into fuel and high-value chemical materials using solar energy is considered as a viable solution to the environmental pollution and the alleviation of the energy crisis. Herein, a black titanium dioxide/indium oxide S-scheme heterojunction (IO-B-TiO2/In2O3) with a three-dimensional porous inverse opal structure was prepared. In the photocatalytic reduction of CO2, IO-B-TiO2/In2O3 exhibited an excellent CO production rate (251.25 μmol·g−1·h−1), being 8.62 and 1.55 times of pure IO-TiO2 and IO-B-TiO2/In2O3 under non-photothermal conditions, respectively. A series of characterizations and theoretical calculations (DFT) systematically demonstrated that the excellent photocatalytic performance results from the full spectral response of the material, fast charge separation and transport efficiency, and superior photothermal conversion efficiency of the infrared light. This work will provide a promising insight to the design of S-scheme catalysts with outstanding photocatalytic performance via photothermal assistance and the improved solar energy conversion efficiency.

An acid-engineered sericin nanoplatform enhances photothermal conversion and chemotherapy outcome for inducing immunogenic cell death

Inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) by external-stimuli therapy holds great promise for cancer immunotherapy, however, hindered by widely-used photodynamic therapy (PDT) and sonodynamic therapy (SDT) due to oxygen depletion that compromises their therapeutic effect. Herein, we report a natural sericin nanoparticle (denoted as SDINPs) as ICD-inducer based on photothermal therapy (PTT) to alleviate immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. The sericin-based ICD-inducer comprises chemically conjugated pH-responsive chemotherapeutic drugs, doxorubicin (DOX), and a physically loaded photosensitizers, indocyanine green (ICG), the therapeutic ability of which can be specifically activated by non-invasive laser radiation. Compared to free molecules, nanostructured SDINPs exhibit superior photothermal conversion efficiency, prolonged blood circulation time, and enhanced tumor accumulation, retention, and penetration capabilities. As a result of these advantages, they demonstrate potent therapeutic efficacy and PTT-mediated ICD burst induction for antitumor immunity. This study presents a pH/photo-activatable combination strategy that provides a novel perspective for clinical cancer treatment.