NIR-responsive GO/Ag2S heterostructure for rapid bacteria-killing and wound healing

Many efforts have been made to treat infections; however, it is difficult to treat bacterial infections effectively with a single antibacterial strategy. Therefore, it is imperative to develop drugs or materials with multiple synergistic mechanisms. Graphene oxide/silver sulfide (GO/Ag2S) heterostructure would become potential nano-antibiotics that display a synergistic photothermal/photodynamic antibacterial mechanism. The material was characterized with different tests, meanwhile, density functional theory (DFT), electrochemical tests, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) were also tested. The heterostructure nanosheets showed significant therapy via effective photothermal/photodynamic conversion and displayed antibacterial activity against both gram-positive S. aureus and gram-negative E. coli. In addition, we found that GO/Ag2S heterostructure could disrupt the integrity of bacterial membranes and inhibit the growth of bacteria. We confirmed its antibacterial effects in subcutaneous abscess models as well. Therefore, GO/Ag2S heterostructure could be a viable alternative option for antibiotic development.