Light-propelled actived Janus PCN-224@Au nanomotors overcome transport barriers for broad-spectrum sterilization

Light-propelled actived Janus PCN-224@Au nanomotors overcome transport barriers for broad-spectrum sterilization Full article

Journal

Materials Today Advances
ISSN: 2590-0498

Output data

Year: 2026, Volume: 30, Article number : 100796, Pages count : 14 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtadv.2026.100796

Tags

NanomotorsAntibacterialNano metal-Organic FrameworksSonodynamic therapyPhotothermal therapyBiofilm penetration

Authors

Wang Xiao ¹ , Ren Yanan ¹ , Yang Yuhao ² , Tu Hui ³ , Fan Dandan ² , Zhuang Yuchuan ⁴ , Li Jing ⁵ , Dong Yanbo ⁶ , Tulupov Andrey ⁷ , Hu Ying ¹ , Zhang Yong ¹ , Bao Jianfeng ¹

Affiliations

1	Functional Magnetic Resonance and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Henan Province, Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
2	School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
3	School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 71000, China
4	Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester, 14627, USA
5	Office of Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
6	Faculty of Teacher Education, Pingdingshan University, Pingdingshan, Henan, 467000, China
7	The Laboratory MRT TECHNOLOGIES, The Institute International Tomography Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institutskaya Str. 3A, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia

The accelerating global crisis of multidrug-resistant infections and the physical intractability of dense bacterial biofilms demand therapeutic platforms that are both functionally active and externally controllable. Here we report the rational design and synthesis of a fuel-free, near-infrared (NIR) propelled Janus nanomotor, PCN-224@Au, that unites photothermal therapy (PTT) with sonodynamic therapy (SDT) in a single construct. Asymmetric deposition of gold onto a porphyrinic PCN-224 metal-organic framework (MOF) establishes the geometric anisotropy required for propulsion and a metal–MOF interface that promotes charge separation. Under low-power 808-nm irradiation, the Au cap converts light to heat and drives self-thermophoretic motion, yielding directed transport with ensemble speeds of ∼10 μm s−1 and super-diffusive MSD of ∼60 μm2at 4 s while producing a local temperature rise of 35 + °C within 600 s at 100 μg mL−1. Ultrasound (US) activates ROS formation in PCN-224, and the Janus architecture simultaneously delivers NIR photothermal input to amplify the effect. Dual activation with NIR and US therefore delivers localized thermal stress (PTT) together with high ROS flux (SDT), producing broad-spectrum antibacterial effects against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Light-driven motility enhances deep biofilm penetration and nanomotor-bacteria contact, while US-activated ROS disrupt membranes and trigger cytoplasmic leakage, translating into rapid, depth-resolved sterilization with favorable hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility. By coupling controllable propulsion with sonocatalysis, this Janus nanomotor approach overcomes transport and resistance barriers and provides an effective, fuel-free platform for broad-spectrum antibacterial therapy.

Wang X. , Ren Y. , Yang Y. , Tu H. , Fan D. , Zhuang Y. , Li J. , Dong Y. , Tulupov A. , Hu Y. , Zhang Y. , Bao J.
Light-propelled actived Janus PCN-224@Au nanomotors overcome transport barriers for broad-spectrum sterilization
Materials Today Advances. 2026. V.30. 100796 :1-14. DOI: 10.1016/j.mtadv.2026.100796 OpenAlex

Submitted:	Dec 16, 2025
Accepted:	Apr 27, 2026
Published print:	May 10, 2026
Published online:	May 10, 2026

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