Atomically dispersed golds on degradable zero-valent copper nanocubes augment oxygen driven Fenton-like reaction for effective orthotopic tumor therapy

Herein, we employ a galvanic replacement approach to create atomically dispersed Au on degradable zero-valent Cu nanocubes for tumor treatments on female mice. Controlling the addition of precursor HAuCl(4) allows for the fabrication of different atomic ratios of Au(x)Cu(y). X-ray absorption near edge spectra indicates that Au and Cu are the predominant oxidation states of zero valence. This suggests that the charges of Au and Cu remain unchanged after galvanic replacement. Specifically, Au(0.02)Cu(0.98) composition reveals the enhanced •OH generation following O(2) → H(2)O(2) → •OH. The degradable Au(0.02)Cu(0.98) released Cu(+) and Cu(2+) resulting in oxygen reduction and Fenton-like reactions. Simulation studies indicate that Au single atoms boot zero-valent copper to reveal the catalytic capability of Au(0.02)Cu(0.98) for O(2) → H(2)O(2) → •OH as well. Instead of using endogenous H(2)O(2), H(2)O(2) can be sourced from the O(2) in the air through the use of nanocubes. Notably, the Au(0.02)Cu(0.98) structure is degradable and renal-clearable.