The emerging two-dimensional monoelemental materials (2D Xenes) have been commonly supposed as promising
drug delivery carriers, photothermal and photodynamic therapeutic agents, biosensors,
theranostics, and some other candidates for biomedical applications. Here, high-performance and bioactive ultrathin 2D
Tellurium nanosheets (Te NSs) are prepared by a simple but efficient liquid-phase exfoliation approach. The as-obtained Te NSs possess a mean size of ∼90 nm and a mean thickness of ∼5.43 nm. The pegylation Te NSs (Te-PEG NSs) possess excellent biocompatibility and stability. The Te-PEG NSs could generate
local hyperthermia with a remarkable photothermal conversion efficiency of about 55% under 808 nm
laser irradiation. Additionally, Te-PEG NSs exhibit an extremely high loading capacity of chemo
drug (∼162%) owing to their ultra-high surface area and tumor microenvironment-triggered drug release superiority. The results of in vivo experiments show that the Te-PEG NSs have higher
tumor elimination efficiency via the combination of photothermal and
chemotherapy, comparing to any other single therapeutic modalities. Therefore, our work not only highlights the promising potentials of tellurene as an ideal anti-
cancer platform but also expands the application of 2D Te for
cancer nanomedicine.