Photothermal properties of MXenes and sterilization of MRSA by Nb2C/Gel with a low power NIR-II laser

Abstract

The proliferation of drug-resistant bacteria and infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pose a serious challenge to global healthcare. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is becoming a highly effective antimicrobial method. Compared with near infrared I (NIR-I), near infrared II (NIR-II) has deeper penetration depth, less light scattering and higher maximum permissible exposure (MPE). The selection of a photothermal agent (PTA) and laser parameters is important. Three kinds of MXenes, Nb₂C, Ti₃C₂ and V₂C, were prepared in this paper, and the extinction coefficient and photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) of NIR-I and NIR-II were compared. The extinction coefficient of Ti₃C₂ (26.23 L g⁻¹ cm⁻¹) at 808 nm was greater than those of Nb₂C (24.38 L g⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and V₂C (19.43 L g⁻¹ cm⁻¹). However, V₂C had a higher temperature than Nb₂C at 808 nm due to its high PCE (49.26%). Nb₂C had a higher extinction coefficient (24.99 L g⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and PCE (45.55%) at 1064 nm, resulting in the highest temperature change. High extinction coefficient and high PCE are the two important factors for an excellent PTA. To reduce laser power used in the treatment, NIR-II laser and a gelation strategy for MXenes were used. The prepared Nb₂C/Gel could be rapidly heated to 62 °C at a laser power of 0.112 W (lower than MPE), and the sterilization rate for MRSA was 92.48%. A NIH-3T3 cell activity study showed that the prepared Nb₂C had good biocompatibility. Nb₂C/Gel has excellent antibacterial properties and it is expected that a rapid, efficient and safe biological antimicrobial strategy against bacterial infections can be established using Nb₂C/Gel, especially for drug-resistant bacterial infections.