The development of robust materials for treating diseases through non-invasive photothermal therapy (PTT) has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Among various types of nanomaterials, inorganic nanomaterials with strong absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) window can be employed as high-efficiency photothermal agents to treat cancer and bacterial infections. In addition, inorganic nanomaterials can be easily combined with other drugs or chemical reagents to construct multifunctional nanomaterials to cascade stimulation responses, enhance therapeutic effects, and perform precise medical treatments. In this review, focusing on the latest developments of inorganic nanomaterials in photothermal therapy, we firstly introduced the light-to-heat conversion mechanism of inorganic nanomaterials. Secondly, we summarized the application of common inorganic nanomaterials, such as metallic nanoparticles, transition metal oxide nanoparticles and two dimensional (2D) nanosheets. In addition, the strategy of developing multifunctional nano-platforms with excellent biocompatibility as well as good targeted capability was also expounded. Finally, challenges and new perspectives for designing effective inorganic nanomaterial-based nanosystems for photothermal assisted therapy were also discussed.

Near-infrared inorganic nanomaterial-based nanosystems for photothermal therapy

Ultrasound (US)‐mediated sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has the advantages of non‐invasiveness and deep tissue penetration. Nanosystems are prominently used in sonosensitization; however, most nano‐sonosensitizers have a low reactive oxygen species (ROS) yield, thus restraining the application of SDT. Sodium molybdenum bronze nanoparticles (SMB NPs) with rich oxygen vacancies are developed and interlayer gaps of molybdenum trioxide nanobelts are expanded. Owing to the increased oxygen vacancy density and wide interlayer gap‐induced narrower band gap of SMB NPs, the electrons (e–) and holes (h+) generated by US are separated more rapidly, and oxygen vacancies prevent electrons–holes recombination under US irradiation. SMB NPs exhibit a second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) photothermal effect to promote the generation of ROS by the sonosensitizer. The SMB NPs system is successfully realized to eliminate Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and dissipate biofilm. Therefore, multimodal therapy using SMB NPs serves as an effective and promising regimen for deep‐seated bacterial infections. The newly developed Mo‐based sonosensitizer is presented for the first time to demonstrate excellent antimicrobial activity through hyperthermia‐promoting SDT therapeutics. This work proposes a novel strategy in the field of NIR‐II photo‐amplified SDT with Mo‐based materials for bacterial eradication and other important biomedical applications.

NIR‐II Photo‐Amplified Sonodynamic Therapy Using Sodium Molybdenum Bronze Nanoplatform against Subcutaneous Staphylococcus Aureus Infection

Recent advances on cobalt metal organic frameworks (MOFs) for photocatalytic CO2 reduction to renewable energy and fuels: A review on current progress and future directions

Enhanced piezoelectric and photocatalytic performance of flexible energy harvester based on CsZn0.75Pb0.25I3/CNC–PVDF composite nanofibers

In the past few decades, the development of excellent materials for the treatment of disease via noninvasive photothermal therapy has received increasing attention. Among a number of kinds of nanom...

Conjugated-Polymer-Based Nanomaterials for Photothermal Therapy

A two-dimensional (2D) Co-MOF nanosheet-based nanozyme was developed for colorimetric detection of disease-related biomolecules. The prepared 2D Co-MOFs exhibited ultrahigh peroxidase catalytic activity. 2D Co-MOFs can catalyze the oxidation of colorless 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to the blue product oxTMB, accompanying an obvious change of absorption value at 652 nm. However, alkaline phosphatase can catalyze the hydrolysis of L-ascorbic acid-2-phosphate to produce ascorbic acid which can reduce the oxTMB to TMB, resulting in an obvious color fading. Therefore, by recording the change of absorption value at 652 nm, the 2D Co-MOF nanosheets were used to detect ascorbic acid (AA) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The limit of detection for AA and ALP was 0.47 μM and 0.33 U L−1, respectively. The limit of quantification for AA and ALP was 1.56 μM and 1.1 U L−1, respectively. The developed nanozyme was successfully used to determine alkaline phosphatase in clinical human serum samples and the results were consistent with those provided by the hospital. Furthermore, by integrating 2D Co-MOF nanosheets with image recognition and data processing function fixed on a smartphone, a portable test of ascorbic acid was reached.

Yufei Wang

Papers

Near-infrared inorganic nanomaterial-based nanosystems for photothermal therapy

Conjugated-Polymer-Based Nanomaterials for Photothermal Therapy

2D Co-MOF nanosheet-based nanozyme with ultrahigh peroxidase catalytic activity for detection of biomolecules in human serum samples.

Mesoporous carbon nanoenzyme as nano-booster for photothermal-enhanced photodynamic therapy compared with graphene oxide.

Ratiometric fluorescence probe for accurate detection of Concanavalin A by coupling fluorescent microsphere with boric acid functionalized carbon dots