Functional polypyrrole–silica composites as photothermal agents for targeted killing of bacteria

We demonstrate for the first time that PPy–SiO2–GTA composites can be used as efficient photothermal agents for killing pathogenic bacteria under NIR irradiation. The cell growth of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria targeted by PPy–SiO2–GTA composites could be inhibited effectively after photothermal treatment.