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Research on chalcogenide-based quantum dots (QDs) has advanced significantly over recent decades, largely due to their excellent optical properties, particularly photoluminescence, and relatively low toxicity. Among these, Cu _2 S and CuS quantum dots have demonstrated notable photothermal effects and antibacterial activity, making them promising candidates for various biomedical applications, including cancer treatment. This study focuses on the synthesis of CuS and Cu _2 S quantum dots functionalized with bovine serum albumin (BSA), marking an important step toward their potential biomedical use. The functionalization was achieved through a one-pot synthesis method, characterized by its ability to offer higher chemical yield, elimination of toxic solvents, and provide a method that is simple, economical, and well-controlled. This synthesis produced four samples with varying BSA concentrations. Due to the lower protein concentration, which provides fewer nucleation sites, sample A (BSA concentration 5 mg ml ^−1 ) showed a particle size distribution over 100 nm and low stability over time. Sample B (25 mg ml ^−1 BSA) and C (50 mg ml ^−1 BSA) showed excellent stability and particle sizes within the expected range for Cu _2 S and CuS quantum dots (

This research presents a near-infrared (NIR) light-activated drug delivery system designed to enhance the antimicrobial efficacy and bone integration of titanium-based implants. The system utilizes epoxy-modified TiO 2 nanotubes and CuS nanoparticles that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under 808 nm NIR light to enable controlled drug release. This innovative approach addresses the challenges of bacterial infection and fixation loosening and offers a significant improvement in implant performance. [Display omitted] • Enhanced antimicrobial efficacy and bone integration with NIR light-activated system. • Controlled drug release from CuS-modified TiO 2 nanotubes under 808 nm illumination. • Markedly improved antibacterial action and sustained release mechanism. Two primary obstacles impede the longevity of implants: bacterial infection and fixation loosening. This research introduces an innovative near-infrared (NIR) light-activated drug delivery system tailored to enhance the antimicrobial efficacy and bone integration of titanium-based implants. Titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (TNTs) were modified with epoxy for covalent bonding of therapeutic agents, and copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS NPs) were added for regulated drug release. Alendronate sodium (ALN), an osteoporosis medication, was successfully bonded to the nanotubes. In vitro experiments showed that the release rate of ALN from TNTs-ALN reached 94 % within 36 h. In contrast, minimal release was observed in TNTs-ECH-ALN-CuS, which effectively addresses the prevalent issue of abrupt drug discharge typical in conventional delivery systems. In the context of NIR light exposure, the TNTs-ECH-ALN-CuS exhibited a notable ALN release efficacy of 48 %, demonstrating effective control over drug delivery. Additionally, the generation of ROS, coupled with temperature elevation under NIR exposure, endowed the modified TNTs with exceptional antibacterial efficacy, exceeding 99 % inhibition against E.coli and S.aureus. We observed a pronounced enhancement in the drug delivery mechanism, characterized by a reduction in the initial burst release and a sustained, controlled release, coupled with robust antibacterial action and notable biological performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the development of micropatterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films with hollow CuS NPs (p-CuS@PDMS) designed for both anti-adhesive and photothermal sterilization applications. Hollow CuS nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized via the Kirkendall effect were incorporated into PDMS films to enhance the photothermal conversion. Micropatterning, achieved through a yogurt lid templating method, increased surface roughness and hydrophobicity and significantly reduced bacterial adhesion. The improved anti-adhesive properties were demonstrated by water contact angle measurements, which showed an increase of 24° from 103° to 127° for the micropatterned p-CuS@PDMS films. Under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, the p-CuS@PDMS films achieved a temperature increase of 91 °C with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 73 %, which is much higher than the 61 °C achieved by plain PDMS. The presence of CuS NPs in the PDMS matrix improved the bacterial inactivation rates, with p-CuS@PDMS achieving a 99 % bacterial kill rate after 90 s of irradiation. Although the anti-adhesive properties were influenced more by micropatterning, the combination of CuS and micropatterning provided a synergistic effect. These results demonstrate the potential of p-CuS@PDMS films for applications in healthcare and packaging, where effective sterilization and bacterial resistance are critical. [Display omitted] • Micropatterned PDMS films with hollow CuS NPs (p-CuS@PDMS) were designed. • The films showed improved the bacterial inactivation rates under NIR irradiation. • Synergistic effect of CuS NPs and micropatterning improved anti-adhesive properties. • The films are suitable for anti-adhesive and photothermal sterilization applications. • p-CuS@PDMS films have potential applications in healthcare and packaging industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]