journal article·2025-08-11

Self-assembled Ag2S–Au Janus nanoparticles for targeted photo-responsive thermal ablation of cancer cells and bacteria

Binghua Long, Jingjing Zhang, Hairui Deng, Xu Sun, Yuguang Lu, Xiaoqing Lin, Abdul Wahab, Han Zhang, Muhammad Zubair Iqbal, Xiangdong Kong

Nanotechnology· Volume 36· Issue 32
Publisher page

Abstract

Abstract Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) represent one of the most complex nanoparticles, and achieving precise control over their synthesis remains a significant challenge. Here, we explore gold–silver sulfide (Au–Ag2S) JNPs for targeted anticancer and antibacterial therapies. Au–Ag2S JNPs were synthesized and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), x-ray powder diffraction, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirming their distinct dimeric structure with Au and Ag2S components. Surface modification with 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-Polyethylene Glycol (DSPE-PEG) and folic acid enhanced stability and enabled targeted delivery to cancer cells, resulting in AADF JNPs. AADF JNPs exhibited strong near-infrared (NIR-II) emission, ideal for in vivo imaging and photothermal therapy. In vitro studies demonstrated high biocompatibility and enhanced cellular uptake in 4T1 cancer cells compared to non-targeted JNPs. Upon laser irradiation, AADF JNPs effectively reduced 4T1 cell viability, demonstrating their phototherapeutic effect. Furthermore, AADF JNPs exhibited potent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus under NIR irradiation, it achieved 78% tumor cell killing and 99% bacterial eradication. These findings highlight the potential of AADF JNPs as a promising solution for targeted cancer and bacterial infection treatments.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis and Applications · Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics · Quantum Dots Synthesis And Properties

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

References (47)

Show source-provided references
1. Synthesis and nano-engineering of MXenes for energy conversion and storage applications: recent advances and perspectives10.1016/j.ccr.2021.214339 ↗
2. Nanotechnology: a revolution in modern industry10.3390/molecules28020661 ↗
3. Applications of nanotechnology in medical field: a brief review10.1016/j.glohj.2023.02.008 ↗
4. Drug delivery vehicles on a nano-engineering perspective10.1016/j.msec.2014.04.049 ↗
5. Nano-engineering of construction materials using molecular dynamics simulations: prospects and challenges10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.01.014 ↗
6. Dental implant nano-engineering: advances, limitations and future directions10.3390/nano11102489 ↗
7. Modern developments related to nanotechnology and nanoengineering of concrete10.1007/s11709-016-0343-0 ↗
8. Recent advances in gold Janus nanomaterials: preparation and application10.1016/j.cis.2024.103315 ↗
9. Preparation and application of Janus nanoparticles: recent development and prospects10.1016/j.ccr.2021.214318 ↗
10. Janus particles: design, preparation, and biomedical applications10.1016/j.mtbio.2019.100033 ↗
11. Precise engineering of acorn-like Janus nanoparticles for cancer theranostics10.1016/j.actbio.2021.05.037 ↗
12. A Janus Au–polymersome heterostructure with near-field enhancement effect for implant-associated infection phototherapy10.1002/adma.202207950 ↗
13. Seeded growth of gold–copper Janus nanostructures as a tandem catalyst for efficient electroreduction of CO2 to C2+ products10.1002/smll.202201695 ↗
14. Ultrafast directional Janus Pt–mesoporous silica nanomotors for smart drug delivery10.1021/acsnano.0c08404 ↗
15. Bimetallic nanozymes‐integrated parachute‐like Au2Pt@ PMO@ ICG Janus nanomotor with dual propulsion for enhanced tumor penetration and synergistic PTT/PDT/CDT cancer therapy10.1002/adfm.202406059 ↗
16. Nanomaterials as photothermal therapeutic agents10.1016/j.pmatsci.2018.07.005 ↗
17. Nanomaterials-based photothermal therapies for antibacterial applications10.1016/j.matdes.2023.112231 ↗
18. Designed formation of Prussian Blue/CuS Janus nanostructure with enhanced NIR-I and NIR-II dual window response for tumor thermotherapy10.1016/j.jcis.2022.01.074 ↗
19. Photothermal propelling and pyroelectric potential-promoted cell internalization of Janus nanoparticles and pyroelectrodynamic tumor therapy10.1002/adhm.202300338 ↗
20. Photothermal conversion-coordinated Fenton-like and photocatalytic reactions of Cu2-XSe-Au Janus nanoparticles for tri-combination antitumor therapy10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120167 ↗
21. Asymmetric dumbbells from selective deposition of metals on seeded semiconductor nanorods10.1002/anie.200906783 ↗
22. Gold nanoparticle-based plasmonic biosensors10.3390/bios13030411 ↗
23. pH/NIR-responsive nanocarriers based on mesoporous polydopamine encapsulated gold nanorods for drug delivery and thermo-chemotherapy10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103610 ↗
24. Construction of double-shelled hollow Ag2S@polydopamine nanocomposites for fluorescence-guided, dual stimuli-responsive drug delivery and photothermal therapy10.3390/nano12122068 ↗
25. Controllable preparation of Ag2S quantum dots with size-dependent fluorescence and cancer photothermal therapy10.1016/j.apt.2021.04.011 ↗
26. Bismuth tungstate–silver sulfide z-scheme heterostructure nanoglue promotes wound healing through wound sealing and bacterial inactivation10.1021/acsami.2c15299 ↗
27. Mussel-inspired polymer microsphere supported MOFs@Ag2S S-scheme heterojunction nanohybrids with robust photocatalytic antibacterial activity10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.177310 ↗
28. One-pot synthesis of large-scaled Janus Ag–Ag2S nanoparticles and their photocatalytic properties10.1039/c1ce05632h ↗
29. Rational component and structure design of noble‐metal composites for optical and catalytic applications10.1002/sstr.202000138 ↗
30. Photo-responsive metal/semiconductor hybrid nanostructure: a promising electrocatalyst for solar light enhanced fuel cell reaction10.1016/j.cclet.2020.09.049 ↗
31. Engineering of tunable Au-Ag2S heterostructures: a study of morphology-induced visible-light photocatalytic performance by SERS10.1016/j.apsusc.2023.157770 ↗
32. Structural engineering of mitochondria-targeted Au–Ag2S photosensitizers for enhanced photodynamic and photothermal therapy10.1039/D4TB00533C ↗
33. Anisotropic Ag2S–Au triangular nanoprisms with desired configuration for plasmonic photocatalytic hydrogen generation in visible/near‐infrared region10.1002/adfm.201706969 ↗
34. In situ manipulation of the active Au-TiO2 interface with atomic precision during CO oxidation10.1126/science.abe3558 ↗
35. Polythiourea-immobilized gold nanoparticles on filter paper for boosting catalytic conversion efficiency and stability10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c00135 ↗
36. Regrowth of gold nanoparticles facilitated utilizing small molecules ligand for high stability and performance10.1016/j.cej.2025.161086 ↗
37. Beta cyclodextrin conjugated AuFe3O4 Janus nanoparticles with enhanced chemo-photothermal therapy performance10.1016/j.actbio.2024.05.008 ↗
38. The overlooked oxidative dissolution of silver sulfide nanoparticles by thermal activation of persulfate: processes, mechanisms, and influencing factors10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144504 ↗
39. Near-infrared-emitting colloidal Ag2S quantum dots excited by an 808 nm diode laser10.1007/s10853-017-1131-5 ↗
40. Enhancing food-derived bioactive components delivery: impact of Fe3+/tannic acid metal-phenolic complexation on structure and in vitro release properties of cellulose nanofibers microgels10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.111002 ↗
41. Atomic-level high-entropy nanozymes enable remarkable endogenous targeted catalysis and enhancing tumor photothermal therapy10.1002/adma.202502322 ↗
42. Self-illuminating NIR-II bioluminescence imaging probe based on silver sulfide quantum dots10.1021/acsnano.2c06667 ↗
43. Dopamine-melanin colloidal nanospheres: an efficient near-infrared photothermal therapeutic agent for in vivo cancer therapy10.1002/adma.201204683 ↗
44. Folate receptor-targeted NIR-II dual-model nanoprobes for multiscale visualization of macrophages in rheumatoid arthritis10.1002/adfm.202300342 ↗
45. NIR-II fluorescence imaging guided tumor-specific NIR-II photothermal therapy enhanced by starvation mediated thermal sensitization strategy10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120935 ↗
46. Synergistic photothermal effect and nanoenzyme for efficient antibacterial activity10.1007/s40843-023-2816-6 ↗
47. Synergistic photothermal antibacterial therapy enabled by multifunctional nanomaterials: progress and perspectives10.1039/D2QM01141G ↗