Nanostructures of transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) have raised scientific interest in the last few decades. Tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanotubes and nanoparticles are among the most extensively studied members in this group, and are used for, e.g., polymer reinforcement, lubrication and electronic devices. Their biocompatibility and low toxicity make them suitable for medical and biological applications. One potential application is photothermal therapy (PTT), a method for the targeted treatment of cancer, in which a light-responsive material is irradiated with a laser in the near-infrared range. In the current article we present WS2 nanotubes functionalized with previously reported ceric ammonium nitrate–maghemite (CAN-mag) nanoparticles, used for PTT. Functionalization of the nanotubes with CAN-mag nanoparticles resulted in a magnetic nanocomposite. When tested in vitro with two types of cancer cells, the functionalized nanotubes showed a better PTT activity compared to non-functionalized nanotubes, as well as reduced aggregation and the ability to add a second-step functionality. This ability is demonstrated here with two polymers grafted onto the nanocomposite surface, and other functionalities could be additional cancer therapy agents for achieving increased therapeutic activity.
Inorganic nanotubes (INTs) and fullerene-like nanoparticles (NPs) of WS2/MoS2 penetrate and exfoliate at the contact interface and facilitate tribofilm formation. While the tribological properties are greatly improved by exfoliated NPs that shed easily, they may be diminished by agglomeration in oil. Therefore, surface functionalization is employed to improve dispersion in oil-based suspensions. Here, WS2 INTs were functionalized by polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in a simple and cost-effective bath sonication method. WS2-INTs with two concentrations of added PTFE were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Superior distribution of WS2 was observed before and during friction experiments. Chemical analysis showed a significantly greater amount of PTFE-coated INTs on rubbed surfaces, in accordance with the improved friction and wear properties.
Tungsten disulfide nanotubes (WS2-NTs) were found to be very active for photothermal therapy. However, their lack of stability in aqueous solutions inhibits their use in many applications, especially in biomedicine. Few attempts were made to chemically functionalize the surface of the NTs to improve their dispersability. Here, we present a new polymerization method using cerium-doped maghemite nanoparticles (CM-NPs) as magnetic nanosized linkers between the WS2-NT surface and pyrrole-N-propionic acid monomers, which allow in situ polymerization onto the composite surface. This unique composite is magnetic, and contains two active entities for photothermal therapy—WS2 and the polypyrrole. The photothermal activity of the composite was tested at a wavelength of 808 nm, and significant thermal activity was observed. Moreover, the polycarboxylated polymeric coating of the NTs enables effective linkage of additional molecules or drugs via covalent bonding. In addition, a new method was established for large-scale synthesis of CM-NPs and WS2-NT-CM composites.
Predicting the ability of nanoparticles (NP) to access the tumor is key to the success of chemotherapy using nanotherapeutics. In the present study, the ability of the dual NP-based theranostic system to accumulate in the tumor was evaluated in vivo using intravital microscopy (IVM) and MRI. The system consisted of model therapeutic doxorubicin-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) NP (Dox-PLGA NP) and novel hybrid Ce3/4+-doped maghemite NP encapsulated within the HSA matrix (hMNP) as a supermagnetic MRI contrasting agent. Both NP types had similar sizes of ~100 nm and negative surface potentials. The level of the hMNP and PLGA NP co-distribution in the same regions of interest (ROI, ~2500 µm2) was assessed by IVM in mice bearing the 4T1-mScarlet murine mammary carcinoma at different intervals between the NP injections. In all cases, both NP types penetrated into the same tumoral/peritumoral regions by neutrophil-assisted extravasation through vascular micro- and macroleakages. The maximum tumor contrasting in MRI scans was obtained 5 h after hMNP injection/1 h after PLGA NP injection; the co-distribution level at this time reached 78%. Together with high contrasting properties of the hMNP, these data indicate that the hMNP and PLGA NPs are suitable theranostic companions. Thus, analysis of the co-distribution level appears to be a useful tool for evaluation of the dual nanoparticle theranostics, whereas assessment of the leakage areas helps to reveal the tumors potentially responsive to nanotherapeutics.
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