NIR light-responsive short peptide/2D NbSe2 nanosheets composite hydrogel with controlled-release capacity

The design of light-responsive peptide hydrogels with controllable drug release characteristics is still a challenge. Here, we fabricated a NIR light-responsive short peptide hydrogel by using a thermo-responsive short peptide hydrogel and PEGylated NbSe2 nanosheets, namely, the NbSe2–PEG@YD hydrogel. Under NIR light irradiation, the hydrogel began to collapse owing to the local heating, leading to the release of the cargos. The hydrogel exhibited recoverability and the release rate of the cargos could be accurately modulated by the NIR light irradiation according to the requirement. The excellent biocompatibility of this hydrogel ensured that it could be further developed as a drug carrier for clinical application.