A highly accessible copper single-atom catalyst for wound antibacterial application

Bacterial infection arised from multipathogenic bacteria is a tricky issue that attracts worldwide attentions. In this paper, a highly accessible copper single-atom catalyst (Cu SAC) supported by biocompatible N-doped mesoporous carbon nanospheres was synthesized with the emulsion-template method. The tightly anchored copper single-atom of the catalyst could effectively transform O₂ into O₂^–• under ambient conditions by the ultra-large pore size (~ 23.80 nm) and small particle size (~ 97.71 nm). Due to multiple synergistically oxidative damages to biomolecules, the Cu SAC could be employed to eliminate different bacteria in vitro without the generation of multidrug resistance (MDR). Moreover, the Cu SAC could also promote wound healing in vivo by eradicating the propagation of bacteria at wound. It is envisioned that the Cu SAC with superior antibacterial performance could be applied in the treatment of related bacterial infection in future.