Conceptually Novel Black Phosphorus/Cellulose Hydrogels as Promising Photothermal Agents for Effective Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Black phosphorus (BP) has recently emerged as an intriguing photothermal agent in photothermal therapy (PTT) against cancer by virtue of its high photothermal efficiency, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. However, naked BP is intrinsically characterized by easy oxidation (or natural degradation) and sedimentation inside the tumor microenvironment, leading to a short-term therapeutic and inhomogeneous photothermal effect. Development of BP-based nanocomposites for PTT against cancer therefore remains challenging. The present work demonstrates that green and injectable composite hydrogels based on cellulose and BP nanosheets (BPNSs) are of great efficiency for PTT against cancer. The resultant cellulose/BPNS-based hydrogel possesses 3D networks with irregular micrometer-sized pores and thin, strong cellulose-formed walls and exhibits an excellent photothermal response, enhanced stability, and good flexibility. Importantly, this hydrogel nanoplatform is totally harmless and biocompatible both in vivo and in vitro. This work may facilitate the development of BP-polymer-based photothermal agents in the form of hydrogels for biomedical-related clinic applications.

2D V‐V Binary Materials: Status and Challenges

“…In particular, black phosphorene is expected to be applicable to biomedical fields owing to its good optoelectronic properties, low cytotoxicity, high photothermal conversion efficient, excellent biocompatibility, and biodegradability . Several researches have shown that black phosphorene can be used for drug delivery platforms, cancer theranostics, photodynamic, and photothermal therapy . 2D V‐V binary materials share the similar atomic structures and extranuclear electronic structures with black phosphorene, with high surface area, tunable bandgap, and fascinating optoelectronic properties, making them promising 2D biomedical materials.…”

2D GeP as a Novel Broadband Nonlinear Optical Material for Ultrafast Photonics

“…Both the top view of few‐layered GeP (Figure b) and the side view of monolayer GeP (Figure c) show its intrinsic anisotropy. Liquid‐phase exfoliation (LPE) therefore may be an ideal process to fabricate 2D GeP nanosheets of tunable nanometer sizes (depending on LPE conditions such as ultrasonic and centrifugal conditions) and large yield . Their preparation process is illustrated in Figure d.…”

2D Black Phosphorus–Based Biomedical Applications

“…Recently, Xing et al fabricated a novel BP/cellulose hydrogel for PTT against cancer. Due to its excellent flexibility, improved stability, and notable photothermal response, BP/cellulose hydrogels show great potential for cancer therapy.…”