Immobilized CeO2@C-N Heterogenous Structures with Enhanced Dual Modal Photodynamic/Photothermal Bacterial Inactivation Under NIR Laser Irradiation

Non-antibiotic fungicides are urgently needed due to the potential threat of drug- resistant bacteria to human health. In this research, a novel antibacterial nanoplatform based on CeO2@ C-N has been developed to achieve rapid near-infrared (NIR) laser-induced sterilization. The prepared CeO2@ C-N hybrid material exhibited a nanowire-like structure, with dispersed CeO2 nanoparticles averaging 5 nm in size within the heterogeneous configuration. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectra revealed that the heterogenous structures have a significant amount of oxygen vacancies and defects. Notably, CeO2@ C-N has a narrower band gap than CeO2, which allows for broader absorbance extending to the NIR region. With these unique physiochemical properties, CeO2@ C-N could inactivate E. coli and MRSA at a low concentration (20 mg/L) under 808 nm NIR laser (1 W/cm(2)) irradiation. The excellent bactericidal activity of CeO2@ C-N is attributed to the combination of photodynamic and photothermal processes, based on its excellent photo-thermal conversion property, detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (O-1(2) and center dot OH) under light irradiation, and scavenger quenching experiment results. This study offers a feasible and efficient way to fabricate a highly effective antibacterial candidate.

Automated summary

This study develops a novel antibacterial nanoplatform for rapid laser-induced sterilization. The nanoplatform exhibits excellent bactericidal activity at a low concentration, achieved through a combination of photodynamic and photothermal processes. It provides a feasible and efficient method for fabricating highly effective antibacterial materials.