Biocompatible graphene-based nanoagent with NIR and magnetism dual-responses for effective bacterial killing and removal

Antibiotics have been widely used in clinical applications to treat pathogenic infections at present, but the problem of drug-resistance associated with the abuse of antibiotics has become a large threat to human beings. Herein, we developed an antibacterial nanoagent by coating quatemized chitosan (QCS) on the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles-anchored graphene oxide (GO), which enabled QCS and GO to achieve synergistic effects on killing the drug-resistant bacteria. Systematical antibacterial experiments showed that the prepared nanoagent had antibacterial ability, which was significantly enhanced after the introduction of near-infrared (NIR). Importantly, the nanoagent could be easily recycled and reused without the reduction of the antibacterial ability. During the test time, this nanoagent exhibited no obviously toxic side effect to cells. Given the above advantages, we anticipate that the nanoagent has a promising future in various applications such as wound disinfection, water purification, and surface sterilization of medical devices.