All-in-One Photocatalytic-Photothermal-SERS Nanoknives Platform for Solar-Driven Inactivation of Antibiotic-Resistant Superbugs and Selective Azoaromatic Synthesis

Abstract

Abstract Harnessing sunlight-driven renewable energy provides a sustainable strategy for the rapid eradication of antibiotic-resistant superbugs and selective organic synthesis. However, the development of highly efficient solar photocatalytic materials remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report the rational design of a plasmonic MXene-Ag@Au-nanostar based all-in-one photocatalytic-photothermal-SERS nanoknives platform that harnesses solar energy to simultaneously achieve highly efficient inactivation of antibiotic-resistant superbugs and selective azoaromatic synthesis. By synergistically integrating broad-spectrum solar harvesting (350–950 nm), high photothermal conversion efficiency (∼70%), intense SERS enhancement, and efficient hot-electron and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, the heterostructure delivers exceptional photocatalytic activity toward selective azoaromatic synthesis. Under solar irradiation, the multifunctional nanoplatform promotes the selective oxidation of 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) to 4,4′-dimercaptoazobenzene (4,4′-DMAB) with conversion yields exceeding 69%, while enabling the selective reduction of 4-nitrothiophenol (4-NTP) to 4,4′-DMAB with conversion efficiencies greater than 72%. Mechanistic investigations further demonstrated that ROS, photothermal heating, and hot-carrier transfer collectively contribute to the remarkably enhanced photocatalytic performance. Furthermore, the heterostructure achieved rapid solar-driven inactivation of carbapenem-resistant E. coli, multidrug-resistant Salmonella DT104, and MRSA superbugs, within 15–25 min of irradiation. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the outstanding superbug inactivation activity originated from the synergistic interplay of MXene nanoknives that physically disrupted bacterial membranes, which facilitates the penetration of ROS into bacterial cells, resulting in severe oxidative stress and rapid cell death. Collectively, this work establishes a strategy for designing active-site-engineered “All-in-One” platforms for sustainable solar-driven chemical synthesis and rapid superbug inactivation.