Catalytic and photoresponsive BiZ/Cu_xS heterojunctions with surface vacancies for the treatment of multidrug-resistant clinical biofilm-associated infections

We report a one-pot facile synthesis of highly photoresponsive bovine serum albumin (BSA) templated bismuth-copper sulfide nanocomposites (BSA-BiZ/CuxS NCs, where BiZ represents in situ formed Bi2S3 and bismuth oxysulfides (BOS)). As-formed surface vacancies and BiZ/CuxS heterojunctions impart superior catalytic, photodynamic and photothermal properties. Upon near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, the BSA-BiZ/CuxS NCs exhibit broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, not only against standard multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains but also against clinically isolated MDR bacteria and their associated biofilms. The minimum inhibitory concentration of BSA-BiZ/CuxS NCs is 14-fold lower than that of BSA-CuxS NCs because their multiple heterojunctions and vacancies facilitated an amplified phototherapeutic response. As-prepared BSA-BiZ/CuxS NCs exhibited substantial biofilm inhibition (90%) and eradication (>75%) efficiency under NIR irradiation. Furthermore, MRSA-infected diabetic mice were immensely treated with BSA-BiZ/CuxS NCs coupled with NIR irradiation by destroying the mature biofilm on the wound site, which accelerated the wound healing process via collagen synthesis and epithelialization. We demonstrate that BSA-BiZ/CuxS NCs with superior antimicrobial activity and high biocompatibility hold great potential as an effective photosensitive agent for the treatment of biofilm-associated infections.