Synthesis of near infrared-activatable KxWO3 nanorods for photothermal therapy

Abstract The KxWO3 nanorods with a broad optical absorbance in near infrared (NIR) region have been synthesized by a facile solvothermal reaction in this work. On the merits of this unique photoabsorption, KxWO3 nanorod exhibited an excellent photothermal conversion effect upon NIR 1064 nm laser excitation as evidenced by a rapid, distinct and recyclable photothermal effect both for KxWO3 powder and aqueous dispersion. Further, KxWO3 was finally proved to be an eligible phototherapeutic agent for antitumor treatment and great success has been made in in vitro cancer cell killing and in vivo elimination of solid tumor in living mice, manifesting a potential application prospect of KxWO3 nanorod as photothermal material.