Copper-doped nanostructured MoS2 with distinct nanoscale morphology for efficient bacteria inactivation and catalytic degradation of antibiotics

Due to the overuse of antibiotics, the accelerated spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment and healthcare facilities have urged the finding of safe and effective antimicrobial agents. Moreover, the improper discharge of antibiotics may impose a huge environmental burden due to the stable structure of antibiotics resistant to degradation. In this study, the copper-doped two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials of molybdenum sulfide (Cu@MoS2) with distinct nanoscale morphologies were facilely synthesized via an electrochemical method. In addition to the contributing role of rough morphology of materials, copper doping significantly improved the catalytic properties in antibiotic degradation and the antibacterial activities of MoS2 materials. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation revealed that Cu could be successfully doped on MoS2, and the Cu adsorption configuration atop a Mo atom was the most stable. Finally, transcriptomic analysis revealed the antibacterial mechanism of the materials involved signal transduction, material transport and biological metabolism. Therefore, the constructed Cu@MoS2 nanomaterials with defined nanoscale morphology provide an easy and economical strategy for the elimination of environmental hazards with enormous application potentials.