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Flatband λ-Ti3O5 Nanoparticles Unlocking Near-Unity Solar Absorptivity for Ultrarobust Photothermal Antibiofouling
Meng Li1, Xiangyu Li1,2, Zhiqun Yu1
1State Key Laboratory of Digital Steel, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, P. R. China.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|May 29, 2026
Summary
Metallic lambda-Ti3O5 nanoparticles offer a novel light-assisted antibiofouling strategy. These nanoparticles efficiently harvest solar energy for photothermal antibacterial activity, preventing drug resistance and disrupting biofilms.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Light-assisted antibiofouling is a promising strategy against microbial contamination.
- Existing photothermal platforms face challenges in solar energy harvesting and visible-light responsiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop metallic lambda-Ti3O5 nanoparticles as a novel photothermal antibiofouling agent.
- To overcome synthesis challenges for high-purity, phase-stable lambda-Ti3O5 with defined nanoscale architectures.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a supramolecular-nanoscaffold-guided strategy for nanoparticle synthesis.
- Investigated solar absorptivity and photothermal conversion efficiency of lambda-Ti3O5 nanoparticles.
- Conducted all-atom simulations to elucidate antibiofouling mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Synthesized high-purity, phase-stable lambda-Ti3O5 nanoparticles with enhanced joint density of states.
- Achieved near-perfect solar absorptivity (~100%) and increased photothermal conversion efficiency (~8%).
- Demonstrated broad-spectrum photothermal bactericidal activity and effective biofilm disruption.
Conclusions:
- Metallic lambda-Ti3O5 nanoparticles represent a new paradigm in photothermal antibiofouling.
- Ti-Ti dimer-induced flat bands and nanoscale effects are crucial for enhanced antimicrobial activity.
- This work provides a framework for designing next-generation photoresponsive nanomaterials for biointerfaces.
