Fabrication and Antimycobacterial Evaluation of Molybdenum Disulfide-Coated Titanium Alloy Scaffolds

Bone defects caused by trauma, tumor resection, or bone dysplasia remain a major clinical challenge. Although 3D-printed titanium alloy scaffolds are widely used for bone repair, their susceptibility to bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation often compromises clinical outcomes. Here, we report the in situ synthesis of molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂)-coated titanium alloy scaffolds (Ti-MoS₂), together with their morphological characteristics, photothermal conversion capability, and antimycobacterial activity. The Ti-MoS₂ exhibited excellent photothermal conversion efficiency. Three types of MoS₂ morphologies were synthesized, namely, nanoflower MoS₂, small-nanosphere MoS₂, and large-nanosphere MoS₂, among which the nanoflower structure exhibited the highest photothermal conversion efficiency. Under near-infrared irradiation (NIR), Ti-MoS₂ effectively converted light into heat and catalyzed the decomposition of H₂O₂, resulting in synergistic antimycobacterial effects. In vitro assays against Mycobacterium smegmatis (M. smegmatis) demonstrated that Ti-MoS₂ combined with NIR irradiation and H₂O₂ achieved an inhibition rate of up to 80%, which was significantly higher than that of any single treatment alone. Compared with previously reported antibiotic-loaded or surface-modified scaffolds, Ti-MoS₂ provides a drug-free and stable antibacterial strategy with potential for clinical translation. This study highlights a promising method for the development of multifunctional titanium implants integrating bone regeneration and infection prevention.