Near‐Infrared Light‐Activatable Bismuth‐Based Nanomaterials for Antibacterial and Antitumor Treatment

Abstract The treatment of diseases through precision phototherapy has attracted growing interest during the last decade. Remarkably, biocompatible bismuth‐based nanomaterials can be effectively activated by near‐infrared (NIR) light to fight bacterial infections and tumors. In addition, bismuth‐containing nanostructures are easy to be synthesized and exhibit excellent NIR absorption, ideal photothermal conversion, and X‐ray sensitivity for diagnosis and treatment. This review outlined the recent development of bismuth‐based nanomaterials in NIR phototherapy. The three most commonly used NIR‐responsive bismuth‐based nanomaterials including pristine bismuth nanomaterials, bismuth‐based compound nanomaterials, and bismuth‐based composite nanomaterials are exemplified. Furthermore, their photothermal and photodynamic therapy mechanisms, antibacterial, and antitumor applications are summarized. In addition, their NIR phototherapy enhancement strategies are also highlighted. Finally, the key issues and future directions of bismuth‐based nanomaterial phototherapy systems are discussed in detail. It is believed that the emerging NIR light‐activatable bismuth‐based nanomaterials can realize the actual antibacterial and antitumor via unremitting efforts of scientific researchers in the near future.