Multifunctional Two-Dimensional Core–Shell MXene@Gold Nanocomposites for Enhanced Photo–Radio Combined Therapy in the Second Biological Window

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Multifunctional nanoplatforms with special advantages in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer have been widely explored in nanomedicine. Herein, we synthesize two-dimensional core–shell nanocomposites (Ti 3 C 2 @Au) via a seed-growth method starting from the titanium carbide (Ti 3 C 2 ) nanosheets, a classical type of MXene nanostructure. After growing gold on the surface of Ti 3 C 2 nanosheets, the stability and biocompatibility of the nanocomposites are greatly improved by the thiol modification. Also importantly, the optical absorption in the near-infrared region is enhanced. Utilizing the ability of the high optical absorbance and strong X-ray attenuation, the synthesized Ti 3 C 2 @Au nanocomposites are used for photoacoustic and computed tomography dual-modal imaging. Importantly, the mild photothermal effect of the Ti 3 C 2 @Au nanocomposites could improve the tumor oxygenation, which significantly enhances the radiotherapy. No obvious long-term toxicity of the nanocomposites is found at the injected dose. This work highlights the promise of special properties of MXene-based multifunctional nanostructures for cancer theranostics.