Functional polypyrrole–silica composites as photothermal agents for targeted killing of bacteria

Abstract

We demonstrate for the first time that PPy-SiO2-GTA composites can be used as efficient photothermal agents for killing pathogenic bacteria under NIR irradiation. The cell growth of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria targeted by PPy-SiO2-GTA composites could be inhibited effectively after photothermal treatment.