Ti₃C₂ MXene Nanosheets Functionalized with NaErF₄:0.5%Tm@NaLuF₄ Nanoparticles for Dual-Modal Near-Infrared IIb/Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Tumor Hyperthermia

Abstract

Although the advent of two-dimensional (2D) MXenes has substantially increased the family of 2D materials and diverse applications, the rational design of MXene-based composites and their specialized applications in theranostic biomedicine remain a challenge. In this work, we developed, for the first time, Ti 3 C 2 MXene nanosheets for near-infrared (NIR)-IIb (1530 nm) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided photothermal therapy. Surface engineering and functionalization of 2D Ti 3 C 2 MXene nanosheets with NaErF 4 :0.5%Tm@NaLuF 4 (NaErF 4 ) nanoparticles result in NaErF 4 @ Ti 3 C 2 composites that emit in the NIR-IIb region at 1530 nm under 808 nm excitation, conferring NIR-IIb imaging guidance and monitoring capabilities during tumor hyperthermia. Due to the inherent magnetic properties of the Er 3+ ions, the NaErF 4 @Ti 3 C 2 composite can also be used for efficient T 2weighted MR imaging. In particular, based on the high photothermal conversion capability (43.62% at 808 nm irradiation) and photothermal stability, the designed composites were further explored for efficient tumor ablation with an inhibition ratio of 92.9%, which was systematically demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. No significant nanocomposite toxicity was observed at the injected dose. This work not only expands the performance of MXene-based multifunctional nanostructures but also highlights the promise of their versatile applications in cancer therapy.

CeO2 and Glucose Oxidase Co-Enriched Ti3C2Tx MXene for Hyperthermia-Augmented Nanocatalytic Cancer Therapy

“…Simultaneously, the nearly vanished peak at 2θ ≈ 60°infers a loss of the original layered structure. 61 Figure 1g presents the XRD analysis, 1h). Evident from Figure S1, a Ce 4+ / Ce 3+ ratio of 4:1 confirms the existence of a mixed valence state in CeO 2 .…”

MXene‐Based Functional Platforms for Tumor Therapy

“…In another research work, Lu et al first constructed a MXenebased nanosystem for the NIR-II fluorescence/MR imagingguided antitumor therapy (Figure 10B). [126] Here, the 2D Ti 3 C 2 MXene was decorated with the NaErF4:0.5%Tm@NaLuF 4 (NaErF 4 ) nanoparticles (for NIR-II imaging) to enrich the imag-ing function. Under the irradiation of 808 nm laser, this nanosystem (NaErF 4 @Ti 3 C 2 ) could simultaneously achieve NIR-II fluorescence imaging (with the emission wavelength of 1525 nm) as well as photothermal ablation of tumors.…”

“…Reproduced with permission. [ 126 ] Copyright 2022, American Chemical Society. C) The construction (i) of and multiple imaging‐guided antitumor PTT (ii) of Ti 3 C 2 @Au nanocomposite.…”

“…B) Schematic diagram showing the fabrication procedure of NaErF 4 @Ti 3 C 2 for NIR-II fluorescence imaging-guided PTT for tumor. Reproduced with permission [126]. Copyright 2022, American Chemical Society.…”

Trends in Using Fluorescent MXene Quantum Dots for Selective Detection and Bioimaging Applications: A Review

“…This material was successfully implemented in photothermal therapy of cancer and also used in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) thus creating new avenues for multimodal imaging . Researchers also modified MXene with NaErF 4 , a rare self-sensitized earth material . NIR-IIb/MR dual-modality imaging may be accomplished by capitalizing on the excellent luminescence capabilities of the composites in the near-infrared (NIR)-IIb region as well as the inherent magnetism of Er 3+ ions.…”