Biodegradable and Excretable 2D W1.33C i‐MXene with Vacancy Ordering for Theory‐Oriented Cancer Nanotheranostics in Near‐Infrared Biowindow

Abstract

Abstract MXenes, a new class of two‐dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, have shown enormous potential for biological applications. Notably, the development of 2D MXenes in nanomedicine is still in its infancy. Herein, a distinct W1.33C i‐MXene with multiple theranostic functionalities, fast biodegradation, and satisfactory biocompatibility is explored. By designing a parent bulk laminate in‐plane ordered (W2/3Y1/3)2AlC ceramic and optionally etching aluminum (Al) and yttrium (Y) elements, 2D W1.33C i‐MXene nanosheets with ordered divacancies are efficiently fabricated. Especially, theoretical simulations reveal that W1.33C i‐MXene possesses a strong predominance of near‐infrared (NIR) absorbance. The constructed ultrathin W1.33C nanosheets feature excellent photothermal‐conversion effectiveness (32.5% at NIR I and 49.3% at NIR II) with desirable biocompatibility and fast degradation in normal tissue rather than in tumor tissue. Importantly, the multimodal‐imaging properties and photothermal‐ablation performance of W1.33C‐BSA nanosheets are systematically revealed and demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. The underlying mechanism and regulation factors for the W1.33C‐BSA nanosheets‐induced hyperthermia ablation are also revealed by transcriptome and proteome sequencing. This work offers a paradigm that i‐MXenes achieve the tailoring biomedical applications through composition and structure design on the atomic scale.

Keywords

• biodegradability
• i‐MAX phase
• i‐MXene
• theranostics
• vacancy ordering