Controlled killing of human cervical cancer cells by combined action of blue light and C-doped TiO nanoparticles.

In this study, C-doped TiO nanoparticles (C-TiO) were prepared and tested as a photosensitizer for visible-light-driven photodynamic therapy against cervical cancer cells (HeLa). X-ray diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy confirmed the anatase form of nanoparticles, spherical shape, and size distribution from 5 to 15 nm. Ultraviolet-visible light spectroscopy showed that C doping of TiO enhances the optical absorption in the visible light range caused by a bandgap narrowing.