NIR-II-enhanced single-atom-nanozyme for sustainable accelerating bacteria-infected wound healing

The single atom catalyst Co-SAC exhibited excellent oxidase-like activity by catalyzing dissolved oxygen to generate superoxide radicals (·O2–). Moreover, the oxidase-like activity of Co-SAC could be further improved by near-infrared II (NIR-II) laser light. The results indicated that the Co-SAC could effectively suppress bacterial infection, promote wound closure and escharotic in the absence of H2O2. [Display omitted] •A Co single-atom catalyst (Co-SAC) with Co-N3 active sites was synthesized.•The NIR-II photo-enhanced oxidase-like activity of Co-SAC.•Co-SAC nanozyme promoting the bacteria-infected wound healing. We developed a Co single-atom catalyst (Co-SAC) containing atomically dispersed Co atoms that exhibited intrinsic oxidase-like activity for sustainable antibacterial activity and wound healing. Benefiting from the good photothermal effect, the Co-SAC nanozyme presented enhanced oxidase-like activity and antibacterial efficiency via the generation of heat and superoxide radicals under near-infrared II laser light (1064 nm). In virtue of the outstanding oxidase-like activity, the Co-SAC nanozyme could eliminate pathogenic bacteria and disrupt the formation of biofilm without any additional H2O2. The accelerated wound healing was achieved in an in vivo wound model infected by S. aureus without significant side effects, which showed promising applications in antibacterials and wound healing. Such a strategy would possibly open a new window for translational medicine of Co-SAC nanozyme.