Gold Nanoclusters-Decorated Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks with Reactive Oxygen Species Generation for Photoenhanced Antibacterial Study

Abstract

The serious threat of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections has brought an urgent need for the development of new antibacterial nanomaterials. We encapsulate glutathione (GSH)-protected gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) in zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-8 (ZIF-8) and present their potential in antibacterial capabilities. Under white light irradiation, AuNCs-embedded ZIF-8 nanocomposites show assembly-enhanced emission and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. AuNCs@ZIF-8 exhibit almost complete inactivation of bacterial growth within 60 min of light irradiation. Scanning electron microscopic results show that AuNCs@ZIF-8 nanocomposites are captured by bacterial cells, and the leakage of alkaline phosphatase and nucleotides from bacteria demonstrate that the photoinduced ROS can easily destroy the bacterial surface and totally kill the bacteria. Herein, our antibacterial nanocomposites have photoenhanced bactericidal capability and show promising applications for sterilization.

Nanomaterial-Based Zinc Ion Interference Therapy to Combat Bacterial Infections

“…Various antibacterial nanomaterials, including liposomes ( 45 , 46 ), carbon-based nanomaterials ( 47 , 48 ), noble metal NPs ( 49 , 50 ), semiconductor NPs ( 51 ), and polymeric nanomaterials ( 52 ), are being developed as alternative therapeutic options to combat against bacterial infections. These nanomaterials not only could exert a good antibacterial activity by themselves ( 53 ) but also are loaded with antibiotics ( 54 ) or antimicrobial peptides ( 55 ). After further modification ( 56 , 57 ), they could achieve targeted drug delivery to exert a synergistic antibacterial effect.…”

Defined metal atom aggregates precisely incorporated into metal–organic frameworks

“…216 The photoactivity of some metal NCs can be exploited for medical applications. Hui et al 217 showed that GSH-protected Au NCs with an average size of B2-5 nm encapsulated within ZIF-8 holds antibacterial capabilities by generating ROS capable of disrupting the bacterial surface and ultimately killing the bacteria. Thereby, the confined Au NCs acted as inorganic photosensitiser whose ability to generate ROS via a photomediated energy transfer over the triplet state is enhanced due to the synergetic effect compared to free Au NCs or pure ZIF-8.…”

“…The MOF scaffolding provided increased stability of the Au NCs while enhancing the photodynamic therapy effect by facilitating light-induced ROS formation. 217 Contrary to the aforementioned subject matter, the photoactivity of Au NCs can also be quenched by highly reactive oxygen species (hROS) such as ClO À or hydroxyl radicals with strong oxidising abilities. The biosensing (monitoring and localisation) of hROS in biological systems plays an important role, as hROS belong to a class of signalling molecules that, when accumulated, are able to misguide physiological and pathological processes by being harmful for nucleic acids, proteins and lipids.…”

“…The MOF scaffolding provided increased stability of the Au NCs while enhancing the photodynamic therapy effect by facilitating light-induced ROS formation. 217…”

Exploring the Antibacterial and Biosensing Applications of Peroxidase-Mimetic Ni0.1Cu0.9S Nanoflower

“…In recent years, the outbreak of infectious disease brought by bacteria has become a public health risk worldwide, which seriously threatens human life and health [ 15 , 16 ]. Bacterial infections are usually treated with antibiotics, which could selectively inhibit and kill bacteria by restraining DNA replication/repair and protein synthesis [ 17 , 18 ].…”