Iron‐Single‐Atom Nanozyme with NIR Enhanced Catalytic Activities for Facilitating MRSA‐Infected Wound Therapy

Abstract

Abstract Patients with methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections may have higher death rates than those with non‐drug‐resistant infections. Nanozymes offer a promising approach to eliminating bacteria by producing reactive oxygen species. However, most of the conventional nanozyme technologies encounter significant challenges with respect to size, composition, and a naturally low number of active sites. The present study synthesizes a iron‐single‐atom structure (Fe‐SAC) via nitrogen doped‐carbon, a Fe‐N5 catalyst (Fe‐SAC) with a high metal loading (4.3 wt.%). This catalyst permits the development of nanozymes consisting of single‐atom structures with active sites resembling enzymes, embedded within nanomaterials. Fe‐SAC displays peroxidase‐like activities upon exposure to H2O2. This structure facilitates the production of hydroxyl radicals, well‐known for their strong bactericidal effects. Furthermore, the photothermal properties augment the bactericidal efficacy of Fe‐SAC. The findings reveal that Fe‐SAC disrupts the bacterial cell membranes and the biofilms, contributing to their antibacterial effects. The bactericidal properties of Fe‐SAC are harnessed, which eradicates the MRSA infections in wounds and improves wound healing. Taken together, these findings suggest that single Fe atom nanozymes offer a novel perspective on the catalytic mechanism and design, holding immense potential as next‐generation nanozymes.

Keywords

• antibacterial therapy
• iron
• nanozyme
• single‐atom catalyst
• wound healing