Enzyme-like antibacterial activities of Cu9S5 nanoflowers with vacancy-type dependence
Chen Xue, Jinghong Wen, Kim Jong Guk, Guizhu Wu, Ze Zhang, Gui‐Chang Wang, Mingyang Liu, Shu‐Hong Yu
Abstract
Due to the increasing drug resistance of bacteria and the limitations of antibacterial nanomaterials through photodynamical and photothermal routes, it is necessary to develop novel nanomaterials with outstanding enzyme-like activities and bacteria-binding capability to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) to kill bacteria. Herein, we report the synthesis of two kinds of Cu9S5 nanoflowers composed of assemblies of nanosheets, abbreviated as Cu9S5-1 and Cu9S5-2, which possess predominantly VCuSCu and VCuSS vacancies, respectively, as confirmed by the positron annihilation spectra. Both experimental and theoretical calculation results reveal that Cu9S5-2 exhibits excellent enzyme-like activities because of stronger bacteria-binding ability and higher electron affinity that endow it with a superior antibacterial activity compared to Cu9S5-1. This study provides a deeper understanding of nanomaterials with vacancy-type-dependent enzyme-like activities and insights for the rational design of high-performance antibacterial agents in the future.