Rapid room-temperature preparation of MoO3−x quantum dots by ultraviolet irradiation for photothermal treatment and glucose detection

Oxygen deficient molybdenum oxide (MoO3−x) spurred intense scientific interest in biomedical research owing to the strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect in NIR region. Although a considerable number of methods have been used to prepare MoO3−x nanomaterials, most of them are limited by long reaction time, low yield and poor water solubility of the products. Herein, a novel ultraviolet irradiation method was developed to synthesize MoO3−x quantum dots (QDs) within 30 min, which rendered excellent water solubility and low cytotoxicity. The as-prepared MoO3−x QDs exhibited a relatively narrow size distribution with an average diameter of 5.63 nm, which was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, an intense LSPR effect in NIR regions was verified by UV-vis spectroscopy. Thus, the materials were used in photothermal ablation of cancer and glucose detection, showing high photothermal conversion efficiency and good sensitivity.