Carbon quantum dot modified MoS mediating photodynamic and photothermal therapy in rapid inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms

Traditional antibacterial strategies encounter challenges such as drug resistance and environmental pollution. In contrast, nanomaterial-based phototoxic therapies, including photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), show promise in enhancing antibacterial efficacy and mitigating drug resistance. In this work, the potential and effectiveness of carbon quantum dot-modified molybdenum disulfide (CQDs@MoS 2 ) composite has investigated for the rapid inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms in photodynamic and photothermal therapies. Under xenon lamp illumination, MoS 2 generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage bacterial membranes and DNA. The incorporation of CQDs generates localized heat under infrared light, enhances the charge separation of the composite, and increases ROS production, thus producing a PTT effect for amplifying photocatalytic and antibacterial activities. This approach significantly inactivates Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus ( S.aureus ) and Gram negative Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) within 5 min and demonstrates high stability. The synergistic effects of these therapies promote effective bacterial inactivation, presenting a promising solution for water disinfection and biomedical applications.