Iridium oxide nanoparticles anchored on metal-organic framework for enhanced photodynamic and photothermal synergistic antibacterial activity

Phototherapy is rapidly evolving in the treatment of bacterial infections to counter the dangers of bacterial evolution and the development of bacterial resistance due to the misuse of antibiotics. Herein, we report a nano-antimicrobial platform (PCN-224-IrO 2 -HA), constructed by iridium oxide nanoparticles and metal-organic framework PCN-224. PCN-224-IrO 2 -HA is capable of the photodynamic therapy (PDT), which can induce bacterial death by converting surrounding O 2 to reactive oxygen species under laser irradiation. Meanwhile, IrO 2 can catalyse the decomposition of H 2 O 2 to generate O 2 and enhance PDT. Meanwhile, IrO 2 can rapidly convert light energy into thermal energy under laser irradiation, so that it is able to kill bacteria by photothermal therapy (PTT). Photodynamic therapy synergised with photothermal therapy significantly inhibit the growth of bacteria, providing a new idea for phototherapy to treat bacterial infections.