Two-Dimensional MXene (Ti₃C₂)-Integrated Cellulose Hydrogels: Toward Smart Three-Dimensional Network Nanoplatforms Exhibiting Light-Induced Swelling and Bimodal Photothermal/Chemotherapy Anticancer Activity

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) MXenes have recently been shown to be promising for applications in anticancer photothermal therapy (PTT), owing to their outstanding photothermal performance. However, as with the other inorganic 2D nanomaterials, the MXene-based nanoplatforms lack the appropriate biocompatibility and stability in physiological conditions, targeting capability, and controlled release of drug, for cancer therapy. Fabricating a smart MXene-based nanoplatform for the treatment of cancer therefore remains a challenge. In this work, composite hydrogels based on cellulose and TiC MXene, were synthesized for the first time. We have shown that the cellulose/MXene composite hydrogels possess rapid response near-infrared-stimulated characteristics, which present as a continuous dynamic process in water. As a result, when loaded with the anticancer drug doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), the cellulose/MXene hydrogels are capable of significantly accelerating the DOX release. This behavior is attributed to the expansion of the pores within the three-dimensional cellulose-based networks, triggered by illumination with an 808 nm light. Capitalizing on their excellent photothermal performance and controlled, sustained release of DOX, the cellulose/MXene hydrogels are utilized as a multifunctional nanoplatform for tumor treatment by intratumoral injection. The results showed that the combination of PTT and prolonged adjuvant chemotherapy delivered using this nanoplatform was highly efficient for instant tumor destruction and for suppressing tumor relapse, demonstrating the potential of the nanoplatform for application in cancer therapy. Our work not only opens the door for the fabrication of smart MXene-based nanocomposites, along with their promising application against cancer, but also paves the way for the development of other inorganic 2D composites for applications in biomedicine.

Ti3C2 MXene Paper for the Effective Adsorption and Controllable Release of Aroma Molecules

“…The drug release was triggered by the laser induced photothermal heating and pH variation around tumor cell . Similar drug control release mechanisms were also reported by Han et al and Xing et al The photothermal ability of Ti 3 C 2 MXene was applied to accelerate the release of anticancer drug in Ti 3 C 2 MXene/cellulose hydrogel and the soybean phospholipid modified Ti 3 C 2 MXene …”

Near-infrared light-responsive hydrogels via peroxide-decorated MXene-initiated polymerization

“…27 Owing to their properties of a functionalized surface, small band gaps, and excellent photothermal properties and conductivity, they have diverse applications in batteries, supercapacitors, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and biomedicine. [28][29][30][31][32][33] Ti 3 C 2 T x , a representative MXenes, has abundant functional groups (i.e. -OH, -O or -F) and is well dispersible in aqueous solution.…”

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

“…Figure d shows the Raman spectra of the 2D GeP nanosheets obtained with various centrifugation speeds and their bulk counterpart. GeP was found to have a layer‐dependent Raman shift, just like the typical layered materials of BP and MXene . For instance, relative to the stationary peaks at 135.7 and 247.4 cm −1 , the peaks at 201.3 and 360.5 cm −1 for bulk GeP crystal show respectively a red‐shift to 202.5 and 363.9 cm −1 for 2D GeP nanosheets obtained with 1000 rpm.…”