Fig. 9

a, b A scheme illustrating the synthesis of DOX@H-Cu₉S₈/PEG with photothermally-augmented chemodynamic-chemo effect for the efficient killing of tumor cells. c TEM image of H-Cu₉S₈ NPs. d Isotherm analysis of H-Cu₉S₈ powder. e UV–vis–NIR spectra of H-Cu₉S₈/PEG dispersions (50–200 mg L^–1). f Temperature elevation curves of H-Cu₉S₈/PEG (0–200 mg L^–1) under the 1064 nm laser irradiation at 1.0 W cm^− 2. g Time-dependent absorption spectra of MB mediated with H-Cu₉S₈/PEG and H₂O₂ upon laser irradiation (temperature balance: 45 °C). h The degradation rate of MB in Fenton-like reaction at 45 °C or ambient temperature (25 °C). i, j Cumulative release of DOX from DOX@H-Cu₉S₈/PEG with different treatments (n = 3). k Fluorescent images of CT26 cells incubated with DOX@H-Cu₉S₈/PEG for different durations (0.5, 1.0, and 3 h). l Fluorescent images of DAPI and DCFH-DA stained CT26 cells with different treatments. m Relative viabilities of CT26 cells after different treatments (n = 4). n Relative tumor volumes of mice after various treatments over 15 days (n = 4). Reproduced with permission from Ref. [108]. Copyright 2022, Elsevier