Yolk-shell shaped Au-Bi₂S₃heterostructure nanoparticles for controlled drug release and combined tumor therapy

To fabricate a novel stimuli-responsive system enabling controlled drug release and synergistic therapy, yolk-shell shaped bismuth sulfide modified with Au nanoparticles (Au-Bi₂S₃) was prepared. The Au-Bi₂S₃nanomaterial with heterojunction structure exhibited excellent photothermal conversion efficiency and considerable free radicals yield under laser irradiation. The drug delivery capacity was confirmed by co-loading Berberine hydrochloride (BBR) and a phase change material 1-tetradecanol (PCM), which could be responsible for NIR light induced thermal controlled drug release.In vitroinvestigation demonstrated that Au-Bi₂S₃has cell selectivity, and with the assistance of the properties of Au-Bi₂S₃, the loaded drug could give full play to their cancer cell inhibition ability. Our work highlights the great potential of this nanoplatform which could deliver and control Berberine hydrochloride release as well as realize the synergistic anti-tumor strategy of photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy for tumor therapy.