Self-Degradable Photoactive Micromotors for Inactivationof Resistant Bacteria

Pathogenic bacteria pose a significant threat to human health, and theirremoval from food and water supplies is crucial in preventing the spread ofwaterborne and foodborne diseases. Recently, silver-based photocatalyticmicromotors have emerged as promising candidates for inactivatingpathogenic microbes due to their high antibacterial activity. In this study, thesynthesis of photoactive Ag3PO4micromotors with a well-definedtetrapod-like structure (TAMs) is presented using a simple precipitationmethod. These TAMs autonomously move and release Ag ions/nanoparticles(NPs) through a photodegradation process when exposed to light, whichenhances their antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacterial strains. Interestingly,different motion modes are observed under different manipulated lightwavelengths and fuels. Furthermore, the self-degradation of TAMs isaccelerated in the presence of negatively charged bacteria, which results inhigher removal rates of both bacteria,E. ColiandS. aureus. The findingsintroduce a new concept of self-degradable micromotors based onphotocatalytic components, which hold great potential for their use inantimicrobial applications. This work offers significant implications formaterials chemistry, especially in designing and developing the nextgeneration of light-driven antimicrobial agents.