Ultrasmall FeS₂ Nanoparticles-Decorated Carbon Spheres with Laser-Mediated Ferrous Ion Release for Antibacterial Therapy

Recent progress in nanotechnology and the ancient use of sulfur in treating dermatological disorders have promoted the development of nano-sulfides for antimicrobial applications. However, the variable valences and abundant forms of nano-sulfides have complicated investigations on their antibacterial activity. Here, carbon nanospheres (CNSs) with decoration of ultrasmall FeS₂ nanoparticles (CNSs@FeS₂ ) is synthesized, and their antibacterial ability and mechanism are explored. The CNSs@FeS₂ released Fe²⁺ and sulfur ions simultaneously through dissolution and disproportionation. In vitro study indicated that the released Fe²⁺ killed bacteria by increasing the oxidative state of bacterial surfaces and intracellular molecules. Importantly, the released sulfur exhibited a protective effect on Fe²⁺ , ensuring the stable existence of Fe²⁺ to continuously combat bacteria. Moreover, the carbon shells of CNSs@FeS₂ not only prevented the aggregation of FeS₂ but also accelerated the release of Fe²⁺ through photothermal effects to achieve synergistic hyperthermia/Fe²⁺ therapy. In vivo experiments indicated that treatment with CNSs@FeS₂ resulted in a marked reduction in bacterial number and improvement in survival in an acute peritonitis mouse model, and antibacterial wound experiments demonstrated high efficacy of CNSs@FeS₂ -enabled synergistic hyperthermia/Fe²⁺ therapy. Thus, this study clarifies the antibacterial mechanism of FeS₂ and offers a synergetic therapeutic platform with laser-mediated Fe²⁺ release for antibacterial applications.