Multimodal Antibacterial Platform Constructed by the Schottky Junction of Curcumin-Based Bio Metal–Organic Frameworks and Ti3C2Tx MXene Nanosheets for Efficient Wound Healing

Abstract

A novel multimodal antibacterial platform is constructed by the in situ growth of a bioactive zinc-based metal–organic framework (Zn-MOF) using the natural antibacterial agent (curcumin) as ligand over the Ti3C2Tx nanosheets (NSs) for highly effective bacteria-infected wound healing. As Zn nodes in Zn-MOF can be partially exchanged by Ti sites in Ti3C2Tx NSs, a novel oxygen vacancy-rich Schottky junction is formed at the interface between Zn-MOF and Ti3C2Tx NSs, which can remarkably improve the separation and electron transfer efficiency of photoinduced carriers under near-infrared light irradiation (808 nm). Consequently, it affords the Zn-MOF@Ti3C2Tx Schottky junction abundant superoxide radicals (•O2−) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH) by electron transfer via type I mechanism and singlet oxygen (1O2) by energy transfer via type II mechanism, accompanying the superior photothermal performance and controllable release of Zn2+ ions and curcumin. The Zn-MOF@Ti3C2Tx shows excellent biocompatibility and multimodal antibacterial ability toward Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Based on the detailed investigations of the antibacterial mechanism, the Zn-MOF@Ti3C2Tx Schottky junction remarkably demonstrates accelerated wound healing (wound closure ratio is >99%) infected by S. aureus.