Enhanced multienzyme-like and antibacterial activity by copper atomically dispersed into molybdenum disulfide for accelerated wound healing

Bacterial and viral infections have been a global challenge, exacerbated by rampant antibiotic overuse. It is thus of fundamental and technological significance to develop effective antibacterial agents. Herein, copper is atomically dispersed into a MoS₂ matrix via the chelation of ammonium tetrathiomolybdate [(NH₄)₂MoS₄]. Meticulous control of the copper content enables uniform atomic dispersion and optimizes active site accessibility, both critical factors for a range of catalytic activities that mimic native enzymes like peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione oxidase. Among the series, the Cu/MoS₂-3 sample, with a Cu:Mo molar ratio of ca. 0.3, exhibits the best activity, with a maximum rate of 14.3 × 10⁻¹⁸ M s^–1 in the peroxidase-like reaction with H₂O₂ and rate constant of 2.56 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ that are at least one order of magnitude greater than those of MoS₂. These unique properties endow the resultant Cu/MoS₂ composites with a remarkable antimicrobial activity. Experimentally, with the addition of 1 mM H₂O₂, 99% of Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli can be eliminated within 10 min by Cu/MoS₂ (50 μg/mL). Such a peroxidase-like activity of Cu/MoS₂ can facilitate wound healing and inflammation reduction in a Staphylococcus aureus infected wound model. Results from this study highlight the unique significance of atomic dispersion in the structural engineering of high-performance bactericidal agents for biomedical applications.