High-Entropy Alloy-Engineered ZnIn2S4 Photocatalyst for Efficient In Vitro Eradication of MRSA and Inhibition of Biofilm Formation via ROS-Mediated Mechanisms
4 affiliations
- 1School of Medicine, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
- 2Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Kunming 650021, China
- 3Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, Fine Chemical Industry Research Institute, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- 4Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, particularly those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), pose a critical clinical challenge and necessitate alternative non-antibiotic antimicrobial strategies. Herein, a high-entropy alloy-modified ZnIn2S4 (HEA–ZIS) photocatalytic nanoplatform was rationally engineered and evaluated for in vitro antibacterial performance. FeCoNiCuZn high-entropy alloy nanoparticles were uniformly anchored onto hierarchical ZnIn2S4 nanoflowers via a combined solvothermal–impregnation strategy. Structural and physicochemical characterizations reveal that the intrinsic flower-like morphology is well retained, while HEA incorporation induces lattice distortion, multivalent metal states, and interfacial charge redistribution. The optimized 3%HEA–ZIS exhibits potent antibacterial activity against MRSA under visible light, achieving 98.30% inactivation and a 5.91-log reduction, with a low minimum bactericidal concentration (0.30 mg mL−1). It also demonstrates strong antibiofilm activity by inhibiting MRSA biofilm formation, reducing biofilm biomass by over 84%, while maintaining good in vitro biosafety. Mechanistic studies reveal enhanced light absorption, improved charge separation, and accelerated interfacial electron transfer, promoting efficient oxygen activation. Electron paramagnetic resonance and in situ DRIFTS analyses identify a cascade reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway responsible for the enhanced antibacterial efficacy. Overall, this work provides insights into high-entropy alloy-engineered semiconductor nanoplatforms and demonstrates their potential as promising biomedical nanomaterials for non-antibiotic antimicrobial applications.
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BibTeX
@article{chen2026highentropy,
title = {{High-Entropy Alloy-Engineered ZnIn2S4 Photocatalyst for Efficient In Vitro Eradication of MRSA and Inhibition of Biofilm Formation via ROS-Mediated Mechanisms}},
author = {Xuehua Chen and Tai-Cheng Zhou and Changle Wen and Ying Zhang and Hao Wang and Jia Wei},
journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/ijms27209073},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9073},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - High-Entropy Alloy-Engineered ZnIn2S4 Photocatalyst for Efficient In Vitro Eradication of MRSA and Inhibition of Biofilm Formation via ROS-Mediated Mechanisms
AU - Xuehua Chen
AU - Tai-Cheng Zhou
AU - Changle Wen
AU - Ying Zhang
AU - Hao Wang
AU - Jia Wei
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/13
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO - 10.3390/ijms27209073
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9073
AB - Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, particularly those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), pose a critical clinical challenge and necessitate alternative non-antibiotic antimicrobial strategies. Herein, a high-entropy alloy-modified ZnIn2S4 (HEA–ZIS) photocatalytic nanoplatform was rationally engineered and evaluated for in vitro antibacterial performance. FeCoNiCuZn high-entropy alloy nanoparticles were uniformly anchored onto hierarchical ZnIn2S4 nanoflowers via a combined solvothermal–impregnation strategy. Structural and physicochemical characterizations reveal that the intrinsic flower-like morphology is well retained, while HEA incorporation induces lattice distortion, multivalent metal states, and interfacial charge redistribution. The optimized 3%HEA–ZIS exhibits potent antibacterial activity against MRSA under visible light, achieving 98.30% inactivation and a 5.91-log reduction, with a low minimum bactericidal concentration (0.30 mg mL−1). It also demonstrates strong antibiofilm activity by inhibiting MRSA biofilm formation, reducing biofilm biomass by over 84%, while maintaining good in vitro biosafety. Mechanistic studies reveal enhanced light absorption, improved charge separation, and accelerated interfacial electron transfer, promoting efficient oxygen activation. Electron paramagnetic resonance and in situ DRIFTS analyses identify a cascade reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway responsible for the enhanced antibacterial efficacy. Overall, this work provides insights into high-entropy alloy-engineered semiconductor nanoplatforms and demonstrates their potential as promising biomedical nanomaterials for non-antibiotic antimicrobial applications.
SN - 1422-0067
ER -