pH microenvironment-triggered self-activated cascade CuS/CuO2 nanozyme for the treatment of bacterial infection

In this paper, we successfully prepared and characterized a CuS/CuO 2 composite. The CuS/CuO 2 composite exhibited peroxidase-like catalytic activity, producing H 2 O 2 in situ and enhancing catalytic efficiency through internal cascade reactions under pH microenvironment. In vitro antimicrobial experiments revealed that the CuS/CuO 2 composite achieved a highly efficient antimicrobial effect (>99% sterilization) against S. aureus , MRSA, and E. coli within a 20 - minute exposure time under an acidic microenvironment (pH 5.5). Notably, the composite significantly inhibited the formation of new biofilms. We confirmed the presence of the main reactive oxygen species, •OH and 1 O 2 . Our study presents a promising alternative for eliminating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, addressing the persistent challenge of multidrug resistance. • Successful synthesis of CuS/CuO 2 composite with peroxidase-like activity. • CuS/CuO 2 is effective in inhibiting the production of bacterial cell membranes. • CuS/CuO 2 triggers a self-activated cascade under weakly acidic conditions. • CuS/CuO 2 can kill almost all S. aureus , MRSA and E. coli in 20 min.