Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots with Renal Clearance Property for Efficient Photodynamic Therapy

Black phosphorus (BP) nanomaterials have emerged as rapidly rising stars in the field of nanomedicine. In this work, BP quantum dots (BPQDs) are synthesized and their potential as photosensitizers is investigated for the first time. The BPQDs present good stability in physiological medium and no appreciable cytotoxicity. More importantly, the BPQDs can be rapidly eliminated from the body in their intact form via renal clearance due to their ultrasmall hydrodynamic diameter (5.4 nm). Both in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that the BPQDs have excellent photodynamic effect under light irradiation that can effectively generate reactive oxygen species to kill cancer cells. The BPQDs thus can serve as biocompatible and powerful photosensitizers for efficient photodynamic therapy.