Cobalt Phosphide Double-Shelled Nanocages: Broadband Light-Harvesting Nanostructures for Efficient Photothermal Therapy and Self-Powered Photoelectrochemical Biosensing.

Ultra-broadband light-absorbing materials are highly desired for effective solar-energy harvesting. Herein, novel cobalt phosphide double-shelled nanocages (CoP-NCs) are synthesized. Uniquely, these CoP-NCs are able to nonselectively absorb light spanning the full solar spectrum, benefiting from its electronic properties and hollow nanostructure. They promise a wide range of applications involving solar energy utilization. As proof-of-concept demonstrations, CoP-NCs are employed here as effective photothermal agents to ablate cancer cells by utilizing their ability of near-infrared heat conversion, and as photoactive material for self-powered photoelectrochemical sensing by taking advantage of their ability of photon-to-electricity conversion.