Reduced Graphene Oxide@Mesoporous Silica–Doxorubicin/Hydroxyapatite Inorganic Nanocomposites: Preparation and pH–Light Dual-Triggered Synergistic Chemo-Photothermal Therapy

Graphical A multifunctional nanocomposite, reduced graphene oxide@mesoporous silica–doxorubicin/hydroxyapatite (rGO@mSiO 2 -DOX/HA), is fabricated by a simple method for synergistic chemotherapy and photothermal therapy. The introduction of biocompatible HA nanoparticles as a biodegradable pore-capping agent results in the controlled release of DOX under pH and near-infrared (NIR) dual stimulation. A new nanocomposite, reduced graphene oxide@mesoporous silica–doxorubicin/hydroxyapatite (rGO@mSiO 2 -DOX/HA), was prepared by a simple method under mild conditions. Owing to the relatively high loading capacity of the anticancer drug DOX, the biomimetic capping of nontoxic and pH-dependent biodegradable HA on the surface of rGO@mSiO 2 -DOX, and the efficient photothermal conversion effect of rGO under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, the rGO@mSiO 2 -DOX/HA nanocomposite provides a lasting and pH–light dual-triggered drug release. Therefore, the excellent biocompatibility and drug-permeation ability of the nanocomposite are realized, and synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy is also achieved. The in vitro experimental results indicate that the chemotherapy of DOX and hyperthermia of rGO under NIR light irradiation killed HeLa cells effectively. Therefore, the new nanocomposite has promising prospects as a nano-drug-delivery system and in other biomedical applications because of the pH–light dual-factor sensitivity and chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy.