At present, multifunctional nanocarriers as theranostics nanoplatforms have attracted much attention. Owing to the large specific surface area, abundant hydroxyl groups, and excellent biocompatibility, kaolinite (Kaol) nanosheets can co-load chemo-drugs, photosensitizers, imaging agents for imaging-guided combined therapy. Combined with carbon nitride quantum dots (CNQDs) and anticancer drug (doxorubicin, DOX), Kaol complex (Kaol/CNQDs/DOX) are obtained to realize the improved anticancer effects. Kaol nanosheets obtained by an intercalation–stripping method are detected to be low toxic, while CNQDs of 2.2 nm are synthesized by mechanical exfoliation from bulk graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄). Kaolin/CNQDs composite (the mass volume ratio of Kaol and CNQDs is 25:20 mg/mL) which is obtained through a vacuum method not only has the best fluorescence performance of CNQDs but also promotes the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the interfacial regulation between Kaol and CNQDs under the laser irradiation (670 nm) thus achieving photodynamic therapy. In addition, Kaolin/CNQDs composite drug-carrying system has a good drug loading capacity (loading efficiency of 41.38%, encapsulation efficiency of 75.86%) as well as a pH-trigged drug release behavior of DOX. The construction of a nanoclay-based drug delivery system provides a new platform for the realization of precise and efficient combined therapy for tumors. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51974367).

kaolinite, carbon nitride quantum dots, doxorubicin, drug delivery system, anticancer