Novel high-entropy alloys as promising antimicrobial agents to combat drug-resistant pathogens

Bacterial resistance has seriously threatened public health security, high-entropy alloys (HEAs) present an unprecedented opportunity for the removal of drug-resistant bacteria due to their unique cocktail effect and tailorable physicochemical properties. Based on this, Zn–Fe–Mo–Co–Ni HEA (ZFMCN) is proposed as an antibacterial strategy against drug-resistant bacteria owing to the released antibacterial ions and near-infrared (NIR) light activated ROS generation. In vitro antimicrobial experiments demonstrated that ZFMCN can effectively eliminate the drug-resistant Escherichia coli ( EIEC ) and the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by virtue of its ability to release antimicrobial ions and generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under NIR irradiation with antibacterial rates of 92.81 ± 1.54% ( EIEC ) and 98.52 ± 1.22% (MRSA) respectively. Meanwhile, ZFMCN also has favorable cytocompatibility. Thus, we have developed a ZFMCN alloy that demonstrates potential as a promising antimicrobial agent against drug-resistant pathogens, while also establishing a foundation for subsequent research on promoting tissue healing.