Self-assembled CeVO4/Ag nanohybrid as photoconversion agents with enhanced solar-driven photocatalysis and NIR-responsive photothermal/photodynamic synergistic therapy performance

Abstract

The plasmonic cerium vanadate (CeVO₄) semiconductor and plasmonic silver (Ag) metal exhibit a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect in the visible (Vis)-light region; however, weak absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region restricts their environmental remediation and biomedical application. Herein, CeVO₄/Ag nanohybrids with self-assembled heterostructure and improved Vis/NIR light absorption were synthesized from CeVO₄ nanosheets and AgNO₃ solution, which could serve as potential solar-driven catalytic agents and near-infrared (NIR) light responsive anticancer agents. Oleic acid-stabilized CeVO₄ nanosheets were modified with the HS-PEG₁₀₀₀-OH by the thiol–ene click reaction and presented self-assembly morphology in aqueous solution due to hydrophobic–hydrophobic interactions. Sulfhydryl (–SH) groups provided stable sites for Ag⁺ ions on the surface of CeVO₄, and Ag⁺ ions could be directly reduced by Ce³⁺ ions to form CeVO₄/Ag heterojunction nanocrystals (NCs). Due to the higher absorption in the Vis/NIR light region than CeVO₄ nanosheets, CeVO₄/Ag NCs led to the improved solar light responsive photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes. Upon the exposure of these NCs to an 808 nm laser, CeVO₄/Ag NCs show high photothermal conversion efficiency, ROS generation ability and photoacoustic (PA) signal for implementing PA imaging-guided photothermal/photodynamic synergistic cancer therapy with better tumor inhibition effect.