Feathery Tellurium–Selenium Heterostructural Nanoadjuvant for the Synergistic Treatment of Bacterial Infections

Antibacterial nanoagents with well-controlled structures are greatly desired to address the challenges of bacterial infections. In this study, a featherlike tellurium–selenium heterostructural nanoadjuvant (TeSe HNDs) was created. TeSe HNDs produced 1 O 2 and had high photothermal conversion efficiency when stimulated with 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) light. To create a synergistic treatment system (TeSe-ICG) with better photothermal and photodynamic capabilities, the photosensitizer indocyanine green (ICG) was then added. With a bactericidal rate of more than 99%, the NIR-mediated TeSe-ICG demonstrated an efficient bactericidal action against both Gram-negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli ) and Gram-positive bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureus ). In addition, TeSe-ICG was also effective in treating wound infections and could effectively promote wound healing without obvious toxic side effects. In conclusion, TeSe-ICG is expected to be a good candidate for the treatment of bacterial infections.