Ag/Ag(2)O with NIR-Triggered Antibacterial Activities: Photocatalytic Sterilization Enhanced by Low-Temperature Photothermal Effect

PURPOSE: A synergistic antibacterial system employing photocatalytic performance and low-temperature photothermal effect (LT-PTT) with the potential for infectious skin wound healing promotion was developed. METHODS: Ag/Ag(2)O was synthesized with a two-step method, and its physicochemical properties were characterized. After its photocatalytic performance and photothermal effect were evaluated under 0.5 W/cm(2) 808 nm NIR laser irradiation, its antibacterial activities in both planktonic and biofilm forms were then studied in vitro targeting Staphylococcus Aureus (S. aureus), and the biocompatibility was tested with L-929 cell lines afterward. Finally, the animal model of dorsal skin wound infection was established on Sprague-Dawley rats and was used to assess infectious wound healing promotion of Ag/Ag(2)O in vivo. RESULTS: Ag/Ag(2)O showed boosted photocatalytic performance and local temperature accumulation compared with Ag(2)O when exposed to 0.5 W/cm(2) 808 nm NIR irradiation, which therefore endowed Ag/Ag(2)O with the ability to kill pathogens rapidly and cleavage bacterial biofilm in vitro. Furthermore, after treatment with Ag/Ag(2)O and 0.5 W/cm(2) 808 nm NIR irradiation, infectious wounds of rats realized skin tissue regeneration from a histochemical level. CONCLUSION: By exhibiting excellent NIR-triggered photocatalytic sterilization ability enhanced by low-temperature photothermal effect, Ag/Ag(2)O was promising to be a novel, photo-responsive antibacterial agent.