The incorporation of cobalt-doped carbon quantum dots into injectable, biocompatible hydrogels capable of both sensing pH and eliminating bacteria is reported, demonstrating the potential of ultrasmall metal-doped CǪDs for infection control and their integration into 3D matrices as multifunctional theragnostic platforms.
Electrospun poly-based fibers functionalized with silver and gold nanoparticles demonstrated an excellent balance of safety, cytocompatibility, and antibacterial performance, making them promising candidates for biomedical applications that require both inflammation control and antimicrobial protection.
Antónia Kurillová, Saverio Caporalini, Bahareh Azimi et al.· Frontiers in Bioengineering...· 0 citations
This multifunctional smart wound dressing is developed by integrating a chromogenic hydrogel with electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fibers functionalized with quaternary ammonium moieties anchoring ionic silver to demonstrate outstanding cellular biocompatibility and real-time colorimetric detection of metabolically active microorganisms.
Partha Sarathi Mondal, Baitali Guha, Vaishnavi Natarajan et al.· Current Microbiology· 0 citations
This work demonstrates a safe and effective strategy for combating MDR infections through the combined action of photothermal therapy and nanozyme catalysis, offering promising potential for clinical wound management.
Weiwei Zhang, Lixiang Fan, Xuanjun Zhang et al.· ACS Applied Materials and In...· 0 citations
The proliferation of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria poses a severe threat to food safety and public health, driving the urgent need for advanced packaging solutions that go beyond conventional methods. Herein, we present a nanocomposite film engineered to tackle this challenge. Its active core is a rationally designed CuNCs@ZIF-67/CNF composite, where copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) are embedded in a ZIF-67 matrix and anchored onto chitosan nanofibers (CNF). This design enables synergy: CNF captures bacteria, ZIF-67 provides sustained ion release, and CuNCs generate reactive oxygen species, jointly disrupting biofilms, membranes, and metabolism. The composite demonstrates exceptional, broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, achieving >99% inactivation against Gram-positive/negative bacteria and key MDR pathogens like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Processed into a polyvinyl alcohol film, it shows excellent flexibility, strength, and biocompatibility. In practical tests on cherry tomatoes, the film effectively inhibited MDR bacteria on surfaces, reduced weight loss to <6% (control >25%), and preserved freshness over 7 days. This work offers a high-performance, sustainable strategy for next-generation active food packaging to combat spoilage and antimicrobial resistance.
Xinyue Dou, S. Saalah, C. Chiam et al.· Nanoscale· 0 citations
A pioneering near-infrared activated antibacterial EPLGA/OHADA@HMCuS hydrogel was formulated by doping hollow mesoporous copper sulfide (HMCuS) into the three-dimensional spatial network structure formed between gallic acid-modified ε-polylysine (EPL-GA) and dopamine-engineered and oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHADA) and showcased favorable biocompatibility, sustaining cellular viability.
N. Wang, Wei Jiang, Feiyu Lu et al.· Biomaterials Advances· 0 citations
Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) are potent antimicrobial agents; however, their practical application is often limited by uncontrolled aggregation, poor control over particle size and distribution, oxidation-driven instability, and excessive Cu ion release, which can compromise long-term antimicrobial performance and increase cytotoxicity risks. We established a synthesis strategy in which TEMPO-oxidised cellulose nanofibers (TCNF) direct the nucleation and growth of ultrasmall, uniformly dispersed CuNPs that are immobilised along individual nanofibers. The resulting CuNP/TCNF hybrid was applied as a coating onto commercial polypropylene (PP) nonwoven fabrics used in surgical face masks. The coatings exhibited rapid and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, achieving complete inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus pneumoniae within 30 min. The material also demonstrated ∼99% reduction of A/H1N1 influenza virus after 15 min. Notably, the antimicrobial performance was retained under high-humidity conditions mimicking respiration, and the coatings showed no cytotoxicity toward L929 fibroblasts over 48 h. Mechanistic studies revealed that immobilised CuNPs induce controlled intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation, enabling efficient pathogen inactivation while minimising copper release. This nanocellulose-templated CuNP platform provides a sustainable, durable, and safe approach for potential next-generation antimicrobial textiles and surface coatings in health and medical sectors.
Divya Rajah, Sandya S. A. Athukoralalage, Yanshan Zhu et al.· Nanoscale· 0 citations