Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)-Based Single-Atom Iron Catalysts for NIR-II Enhanced Catalytic-Photothermal Synergistic Antibacterial Therapy

Single-atom catalysts based on carbon-based materials have a high catalytic activity and excellent photothermal performance. In this article, iron single-atom catalysts loaded on CMOF-5 carriers have been prepared for the application of photothermal catalytic antimicrobial therapy. Iron single-atom catalysts (Fe SACs) exhibit significant peroxidase-like catalytic activity and catalyze the production of large amounts of hydroxyl radicals (OH) when hydrogen peroxide is present, which have a killing effect on bacteria. In addition, the excellent photothermal properties of the carbon material allow Fe SACs to rapidly generate a localized high temperature under NIR-II laser light (1064 nm) to kill bacteria and enhance peroxidase-like catalytic activity to produce a large number of hydroxyl radicals. In vitro bacterial assays demonstrated that the synergistic antimicrobial strategy of chemodynamic therapy (CDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) is nearly 100% effective against E. coli and S. aureus, demonstrating greater antimicrobial efficiency than chemodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy alone. In vivo bacterial assay shows better wound healing in mice treated with CDT, PTT synergistic antimicrobial therapy. In summary, these carbon-based single-atom catalysts could be used as antimicrobial agents through the CDT and PTT synergistic antimicrobial effect.

Automated summary

This article investigates carbon-based single-atom catalysts and their potential application in photothermal catalytic antimicrobial therapy. Iron single-atom catalysts demonstrate significant catalytic activity, producing a large amount of hydroxyl radicals that can kill bacteria. The excellent photothermal properties of carbon materials enable the catalyst to rapidly generate high temperatures, enhancing its catalytic activity. Results show that the synergistic antimicrobial strategy of chemodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy is highly effective against bacteria.