NIR‐Mediated Cu2O/Au Nanomotors for Synergistically Treating Hepatoma Carcinoma Cells

Abstract We presented a NIR‐driven Janus Cu 2 O/Au nanomotor. The nanomotor has a truncated octahedral structure. By asymmetric Au evaporation, the light response range of Cu 2 O nanomotor is extended to near‐infrared range, and the speed of Cu 2 O/Au nanomotors under NIR is significantly increased. In promoting apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, except the nanotoxicity of Cu 2 O itself, the Au layer enhances the photothermal properties, allowing Cu 2 O/Au nanomotors to induce apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by heating them. On the other hand, a Schottky barrier formed at the interface of Cu 2 O and Au, preventing the recombination of electrons, which makes more electrons react with biomolecules to produce toxic ROS to kill hepatocellular cells. The killing rate of hepatocellular carcinoma cells reached 87 % by the combined effect of nanotoxicity inhibition of proliferation and photothermal & photodynamic therapy (PTT & PDT). Nanomotors in combination with multiple approaches are explored as a new treatment to tumor in this article.