Shaping Ti 3 C 2 MXene Nanospheres for Precision Near‐Infrared Photothermal Therapy
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT 2D materials such as MXenes are recognised for their therapeutic potential in biomedicine. However, morphology of nanomaterials determines their interactions with biological systems, and uneven shape of MXenes impose critical limitations on their clinical applicability. Here, we introduce spherical MXenes as a novel class of biocompatible nanomaterials, and demonstrate applicability of Ti 3 C 2 nanospheres for photothermal therapy (PTT) of breast cancer. The Ti 3 C 2 nanospheres were prepared by femtosecond laser fragmentation of MXene powder and retained the crystallinity and internal optical properties of the parent material. The nanoparticles have characteristic light absorption both in the NIR‐I and NIR‐II windows, with a superior photothermal conversion efficiency of 68% and 63% under 808‐nm and 1064‐nm laser irradiation, respectively. The Ti 3 C 2 nanospheres did not induce photodynamic effects and demonstrated negligible toxicity in vitro in three different cell lines and in vivo in healthy mice. Under laser irradiation, the Ti 3 C 2 nanospheres exhibit potent photothermal cytotoxicity as shown in cell monolayers, spheroids and a 4T1 murine tumor model. When employed for PTT, they significantly inhibit tumor growth and 1.4‐fold prolong median survival of animals. These findings demonstrate biocompatibility and therapeutic potential of spherical MXenes for cancer management.
Source: Advanced Functional Materials
Authors: Julia S. Babkova, Ivan V. Zelepukin, Konstantin G. Shevchenko, Gleb V. Tikhonowski, Lyubov V. Gorelik, Anton A. Popov, Anna S. Sogomonyan, Alina Yu. Kapitannikova, Ivan S. Kazantsev, Dmitry V. Dyubo, Daria A. Panova, Daniil I. Tselikov, Anton A. Minnekhanov, Aziz B. Mirkasymov, Georgy A. Ermolaev, Alexander V. Syuy, Gleb I. Tselikov, Aleksey V. Arsenin, Andrei V. Kabashin, Kostya S. Novoselov, Sergey M. Deyev, Valentyn S. Volkov
Institutions: Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Uppsala University, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Sechenov University, Centre of Advanced Studies, King's College London, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille Université, Lasers, Plasmas et Procédés Photoniques, National University of Singapore, Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,790
Award: G5272443757
OpenAlex ID: W7155397483