Facile synthesis of copper sulfide loaded mesoporous organosilica nanospheres with a triple-shelled hollow structure

Herein, copper sulfide loaded mesoporous organosilica nanospheres with a triple-shelled hollow structure (CuS/tHMONs) are successfully synthesized. The resulting CuS/tHMONs nanospheres exhibit a uniform diameter of 340 nm, mesoporous channels with a diameter of 3.8 nm, large pore volume, and triply separated cavities. High-angle annular dark-field scanning electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) images confirm the presence of a high content of CuS nanoparticles within the CuS/tHMONs composite nanospheres. Moreover, the CuS/tHMONs nanospheres demonstrate high photothermal conversion efficiency and excellent photothermal stability. In vitro experiments reveal excellent biocompatibility of the CuS/tHMON nanospheres, and cytotoxic assays demonstrate their effectiveness in killing cancer cells through photothermal therapy.