Precursor Heterogeneity Driven Mo-Te Nanoparticle Structural Diversification for Cancer Photo-Theranostics

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Chemistry

Background:

• Synthesizing nanoparticles typically uses homogeneous precursors for controlled outcomes.
• Predicting nanostructures from heterogeneous precursors remains challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize diverse Molybdenum-Tellurium (Mo-Te) nanoparticles from heterogeneous precursors.
• To evaluate the synthesized nanoparticles for photothermal and photocatalytic applications.
• To investigate Mo-Te nanorice for cancer theranostics.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a dextrose-mediated proton-coupled electron transfer reaction.
• Employed solid polyoxomolybdate (POM) and ionic tellurite as precursors.
• Characterized nanoparticle morphology (nanoleaf, nanospindle, nanorice) and optical properties.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized three distinct Mo-Te nanoparticle shapes.
• Nanoparticles exhibited broad UV-Vis-NIR optical absorption and photothermal conversion.
• Mo-Te nanorice demonstrated low toxicity, good stability, and anticancer efficacy in vitro and in vivo.
• Nanoparticles showed photoacoustic imaging capability.

Conclusions:

• Heterogeneous precursor reactions can yield controlled nanoparticle morphologies.
• Mo-Te nanoparticles are effective for photothermal therapy and imaging.
• Mo-Te nanorice offers a promising platform for integrated cancer theranostics without additional agents.