Urchin-Shaped Bi2S3/Cu2S/Cu3BiS3 Composites with Enhanced Photothermal and CT Imaging Performance

Urchin-shaped Bi2S3/Cu2S/Cu3BiS3 nanocomposites were successfully prepared in this study through one-pot synthesis, which involved microwave-assisted simultaneous pyrolysis of two precursors. The as-prepared Bi2S3/Cu2S/Cu3BiS3 hybrids exhibit stronger absorption in the near-infrared regime than the individual components, i.e., Bi2S3, Cu2S, and Cu3BiS3. The photothermal conversion efficiency (η) of Bi2S3/Cu2S/Cu3BiS3 composites can even reach 43.8%, which is significantly higher than that seen with most of the transition metal chalcogenide materials. The excellent photothermal performance of Bi2S3/Cu2S/Cu3BiS3 hybrids is likely arising from its unique urchin-like structure, in which needle-like Bi2S3/Cu2S nanocomposites grow from the core of Cu3BiS3. The copresence of Bi2S3 and Cu2S also leads this newly synthesized composite to produce high contrast for X-ray computer tomography imaging, an important property required for a great potential application in theranostic cancer treatment.