Biodegradable Bi₂ O₂ Se Quantum Dots for Photoacoustic Imaging-Guided Cancer Photothermal Therapy

As new 2D layered nanomaterials, Bi₂ O₂ Se nanoplates have unique semiconducting properties that can benefit biomedical applications. Herein, a facile top-down approach for the synthesis of Bi₂ O₂ Se quantum dots (QDs) in a solution is described. The Bi₂ O₂ Se QDs with a size of 3.8 nm and thickness of 1.9 nm exhibit a high photothermal conversion coefficient of 35.7% and good photothermal stability. In vitro and in vivo assessments demonstrate that the Bi₂ O₂ Se QDs possess excellent photoacoustic (PA) performance and photothermal therapy (PTT) efficiency. After systemic administration, the Bi₂ O₂ Se QDs accumulate passively in tumors enabling efficient PA imaging of the entire tumors to facilitate imaging-guided PTT without obvious toxicity. Furthermore, the Bi₂ O₂ Se QDs which exhibit degradability in aqueous media not only have sufficient stability during in vivo circulation to perform the designed therapeutic functions, but also can be discharged harmlessly from the body afterward. The results reveal the great potential of Bi₂ O₂ Se QDs as a biodegradable multifunctional agent in medical applications.