Peroxidase-like MoS(2)/Ag nanosheets with synergistically enhanced NIR-responsive antibacterial activities

Pathogenic microbial infections have been threatening public health all over the world, which makes it highly desirable to develop an antibiotics-free material for bacterial infection. In this paper, molybdenum disulfide (MoS(2)) nanosheets loaded with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were constructed to inactive bacteria rapidly and efficiently in a short period under a near infrared (NIR) laser (660 nm) in the presence of H(2)O(2). The designed material presented favorable features of peroxidase-like ability and photodynamic property, which endowed it with fascinating antimicrobial capacity. Compared with free MoS(2) nanosheets, the MoS(2)/Ag nanosheets (denoted as MoS(2)/Ag NSs) exhibited better antibacterial performance against Staphylococcus aureus by the generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) from both peroxidase-like catalysis and photodynamic, and the antibacterial efficiency of MoS(2)/Ag NSs could be further improved by increasing the amount of Ag. Results from cell culture tests proved that MoS(2)/Ag3 nanosheets had a negligible impact on cell growth. This work provided new insight into a promising method for eliminating bacteria without using antibiotics, and could serve as a candidate strategy for efficient disinfection to treat other bacterial infections.