Bifunctional MoS2@Cu2O heterojunction within scaffold for dual-mode synergistic antibacterial effects

MoS 2 has shown potential in enhancing biological scaffolds with sonodynamic therapy. However, its efficacy in generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) is constrained by electron-hole recombination, which results in insufficient ROS levels to penetrate bacterial biofilms. To address this limitation, we adopted a dual-strategy approach by utilizing MoS 2 @Cu 2 O nanozymes with Type-II heterojunctions and enzyme-like activity, thereby enabling dual-mode antibacterial effects via the integration of sonodynamic therapy (SDT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Specifically, we integrated MoS 2 @Cu 2 O nanozymes into poly-L-lactic acid scaffolds via selective laser sintering. Under ultrasound excitation, the electron-hole separation in MoS 2 @Cu 2 O heterojunctions generated 1 O 2 and ● OH outside the bacteria. Both simulation and experiments revealed the carriers’ separation mechanism and transfer path. Meanwhile, the Cu ions released by the scaffolds generated ● OH and consumed glutathione through the Cu + /Cu 2+ cycle, disrupting the redox balance inside the bacteria. A reactive oxygen species storm was formed through the dual attack on the interior and exterior of bacteria, inducing bacterial apoptosis. The obtained inhibition rates of S.aureus and E.coli were 97 % and 96 %, respectively. These results indicate that the MoS 2 @Cu 2 O/PLLA scaffold is promising for dual-mode SDT/CDT efficient antibacterial treatment.