HKUST-1 loaded few-layer Ti 3 C 2 T x for synergistic chemo-photothermal effects to enhance antibacterial activity.

The drug resistance of bacteria seriously reduces the recovery rate of general disease and endangers human health. Consequently, it is urgent to investigate a non-antibiotic antibacterial material. Recently, two-dimensional MXene has shown good antibacterial properties and received extensive attention due to the large number of active sites, extremely high thermal conversion efficiency, excellent cytocompatibility and ability to penetrate pellicula. However, the antibacterial activity of Ti 3 C 2 T x is greatly affected by the morphology and concentration. Herein, an organic-inorganic hybrid of HKUST-1@Ti 3 C 2 T x with high specific surface area and photothermal effect was designed and fabricated. By adjusting the content of Cu(CO 2 CH 3 ) 2 ·H 2 O and 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, the photothermal properties of the material can be adjusted, and the release of Cu 2+ can be easily reduced. The morphological characterization and fluorescent staining of bacteria which were co-incubated with HKUST-1@Ti 3 C 2 T x confirmed that Gram-negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli ) and Gram-positive bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureus ) had adhered to the material. NIR irradiation has enabled induced hyperthermia and the release of Cu 2+ ions, causing the disruption of the bacterial membrane, resulting in cytoplasmic leakage. Furthermore, HKUST-1@Ti 3 C 2 T x with synergistic antibacterial effect not only exhibits an excellent bactericidal rate (over 99%) but also greatly improves cytocompatibility with the reduction of the Cu 2+ ion release. Therefore, organic-inorganic composites have potential for synergistic effects and non-antibiotic antibacterial activity.