Nanomaterial-based antibacterial strategies: Mechanisms, rational design, and future perspectives

The increasing challenge of antimicrobial resistance necessitates the development of innovative treatment strategies. This review comprehensively examines the recent advancements in nanomaterial-based antibacterial platforms, focusing on their diverse mechanisms of action, including chemodynamic therapy, nanozyme therapy, photodynamic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, magnetothermal therapy, ion interference therapy, and gas therapy. Furthermore, the integration of multimodal therapies as well as strategies to integrate diagnostic-therapeutic functionalities is highlighted as a promising avenue for enhanced antibacterial treatment. Next, the rational design approaches employed to enhance the performance of nanomaterials, such as elemental doping, morphology control, and surface functionalization, are discussed. Despite significant progress, critical challenges remain in the areas of targeting precision, therapeutic efficiency under complex physiological conditions, biosafety, and clinical translation. This work provides valuable insights and forward-looking perspectives to guide the development of next-generation nano-antibacterial agents with enhanced functionality.