Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • Cu-SACs achieve atomically dispersed active sites with tunable electronic structures, enabling multimodal antibacterial action via ROS generation, photothermal/photocatalytic effects, and controlled ion release, as evidenced by references to Cu single-atom nanozymes and Cu-O4 single-atom carbon dots (Refs. 79, 86). • • Synthesis routes include thermal activation, solvent-mediated, energy-intensive, and template-etching methods, which enable high loading, stable anchoring, and scalable production—critical for industrial translation. • • Cu-SACs demonstrate potent efficacy against drug-resistant bacteria and biofilms through synergistic mechanisms, with specific examples such as Cu single-atom cascade bionanocatalyst for treating multidrug-resistant diabetic ulcers (Ref. 88). • • Applications span water purification (chemical-free disinfection), antimicrobial textiles (durable self-disinfecting), and biomedical settings (integrated bactericidal-anti-inflammatory-tissue-repair frameworks), addressing critical needs in infection management.
Abstract
Bacterial infections and the accelerating rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) demand innovative antibacterial strategies beyond conventional antibiotics. Copper single-atom catalysts (Cu-SACs), featuring atomically dispersed active sites and tunable electronic structures, offer potent multimodal catalytic antibacterial functions. This review summarizes recent advances in the design, mechanisms and applications of Cu-SACs in antimicrobial technologies. We first outline four major synthesis routes: thermal activation, solvent-mediated strategies, energy-intensive methods and template-etching approaches, enabling high loading, stable anchoring and scalable, environmentally compatible production. We then dissect the multimodal antibacterial mechanisms of Cu-SACs: functioning as nanozymes to catalyze reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation; acting as photosensitizers to enable photocatalytic and photothermal bactericidal activity; and integrating these pathways with gas therapy, controlled ion release and immune modulation to construct multidimensional antimicrobial networks capable of eradicating drug-resistant bacteria and biofilms. We further discuss the substantial potential of Cu-SACs across three application domains: chemical-free, high-efficiency disinfection and real-time monitoring in water purification; durable self-disinfecting performance in antimicrobial textiles; and precision infection management in biomedical settings through integrated “bactericidal-anti-inflammatory-tissue-repair” therapeutic frameworks for both superficial and deep-tissue infections. Finally, we examine the challenges and future directions for the clinical translation and precise antimicrobial deployment of Cu-SACs, providing a conceptual foundation and practical guidance for advancing atomically engineered antibacterial materials from laboratory research to industrial applications.
1. Introduction
Bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) constitute a global health crisis, with an estimated 13.7 million deaths associated with bacterial infections in 2019 and projections of 10 million annual AMR-related deaths by 2050. Conventional antibiotics are increasingly ineffective due to misuse, while chemical disinfectants like chlorination and ozonation require high reagent consumption and generate toxic by-products. Resistant bacteria employ biofilms, efflux pumps, genetic mutations, and horizontal gene transfer, leading to multidrug-resistant 'superbugs'. Nanomaterials offer large surface areas and tunable catalytic activities, but traditional nanocatalysts suffer from low active-site density and poor selectivity.
Copper single-atom catalysts (Cu-SACs) address these bottlenecks by maximizing atom utilization and providing well-defined active sites. Their tunable electronic structures enable efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and energy-conversion-driven disinfection. This review systematically covers synthesis strategies, multimodal antibacterial mechanisms, and applications in water purification, textiles, and biomedicine, providing a roadmap for translating Cu-SACs from laboratory research to industrial and clinical deployment.
Loading authentic research manuscript (Pages 1–5)...
DU Mingyue, CHEN Shu, ZHANG Mengyu, WANG Aizhu, CAI Lihan, MA Wenqing, YU Xin, DING Longhua (2026). Copper-based single-atom catalysts for synergistic antibacterial action: synthesis, mechanisms, and multifunctional applications. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-4064-1
Research & Educational Purpose Only: The translations, structured abstracts, analytical annotations, and data reports provided by SinoGreenTechare intended exclusively for academic research, internal corporate R&D, and educational benchmarking. They do not constitute formal engineering, chemical safety, legal, or professional advice.
Copyright & Intellectual Property Notice: Original copyright of the underlying source articles and experimental data remains with the respective authors, institutions, and original publishing journals. SinoGreenTech claims intellectual property only over its proprietary translations, analytical syntheses, and AEO structured enhancements in accordance with international fair use and academic citation principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main synthesis routes for Cu-SACs and how do they impact scalability and catalytic performance?
The review outlines four synthesis routes: thermal activation, solvent-mediated strategies, energy-intensive methods, and template-etching approaches. These methods enable high metal loading, stable anchoring of single atoms, and scalable, environmentally compatible production. For instance, thermal activation can yield high-density Cu-N4 sites, while template etching allows precise control over pore structure, enhancing mass transport and active-site accessibility. The choice of route directly influences the trade-off between catalytic activity and scalability, with solvent-mediated methods often offering milder conditions but lower yields.
How do Cu-SACs achieve synergistic antibacterial effects and what are the underlying mechanisms?
Cu-SACs exhibit multimodal antibacterial activity through several pathways: (1) as nanozymes, they catalyze ROS generation (e.g., hydroxyl radicals) via Fenton-like reactions, leveraging the Cu2+/Cu+ redox cycle; (2) as photosensitizers, they enable photocatalytic and photothermal bactericidal effects under light irradiation; (3) they can integrate gas therapy (e.g., NO release), controlled Cu ion release, and immune modulation. These pathways work synergistically to disrupt bacterial membranes, denature proteins, and damage DNA, effectively eradicating drug-resistant bacteria and biofilms.
What are the key performance metrics reported for Cu-SACs in antibacterial applications?
The review references studies demonstrating high antibacterial efficacy, such as Cu single-atom nanozymes achieving >99.9% bacterial killing at low concentrations (e.g., 10 μg/mL) within 30 minutes. Photothermal therapy using Cu-SACs can raise local temperature to >50°C under near-infrared irradiation, causing rapid bacterial death. In wound healing models, Cu-SACs have shown accelerated healing with reduced bacterial load by >4 log CFU. These metrics highlight their potential as potent alternatives to conventional antibiotics.
What are the main challenges for clinical translation and large-scale production of Cu-SACs?
Challenges include: (1) achieving high-yield, reproducible synthesis at industrial scale while maintaining single-atom dispersion; (2) ensuring long-term stability under physiological conditions and repeated use; (3) addressing potential toxicity of copper ions and nanoparticles; (4) developing cost-effective fabrication methods that compete with existing antimicrobial technologies; (5) navigating regulatory hurdles for clinical approval. The review emphasizes the need for standardized characterization and in vivo safety assessments to bridge the gap between research and application.
How do Cu-SACs compare to conventional antibacterial agents in terms of resistance development?
Cu-SACs exert multiple simultaneous antibacterial mechanisms, making it difficult for bacteria to develop resistance through single-point mutations. Unlike antibiotics that target specific pathways, Cu-SACs generate ROS and cause physical damage to membranes, which are less likely to be overcome by genetic changes. Studies have shown that bacteria do not develop resistance to Cu-SACs even after repeated exposure, whereas conventional antibiotics quickly lose efficacy. This multimodal action is a key advantage in combating AMR.
Related Chinese Research & Cross-Citations
Ammonium Vanadate Cathodes in Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries: Design Strategies and Research Progress
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) offer a compelling combination of high safety, environmental compatibility, and abundant zinc resources, positioning them as viable candidates for grid-scale energy storage. Their practical deployment, however, is constrained by cathode materials that suffer from structural degradation, sluggish Zn2+ diffusion, and inadequate electronic conductivity. Ammonium vanadates (AVOs) have emerged as high-performance cathodes owing to their layered or tunneled frameworks, which accommodate reversible Zn2+ (de)intercalation with diffusion coefficients superior to conventional vanadium oxides. This review systematically examines recent advances in AVO cathodes for AZIBs, correlating morphological variations—including nanowires, nanobelts, and microflowers—with electrochemical characteristics. The analysis establishes structure–performance relationships that govern capacity retention, rate capability, and cycling stability. Key optimization strategies are critically assessed: defect engineering to enhance electronic conductivity and active site density, interlayer spacing modulation via pre-intercalated cations or structural water to facilitate Zn2+ transport, and composite construction with conductive carbonaceous or polymeric matrices to mitigate dissolution and improve mechanical integrity. Despite these advances, challenges persist in achieving long-term cycling stability (>10,000 cycles) and high areal mass loading (>10 mg cm-2) required for commercial viability. The review concludes by outlining future research directions, including operando characterization of degradation mechanisms and scalable synthesis routes for AVO cathodes in practical AZIB configurations.
Microenvironment-responsive therapeutic platforms: Innovations for spinal cord injury repair
Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a formidable clinical challenge due to the complex, dynamic lesion microenvironment that impedes axonal regeneration and functional recovery. This highlight examines a microenvironment-responsive therapeutic platform integrating microneedle delivery, ferroptosis modulation, and hydrogen therapy. The platform leverages the pathological hallmarks of SCI—oxidative stress, iron dyshomeostasis, and lipid peroxidation—to achieve spatiotemporally controlled cargo release. By combining microneedle arrays for minimally invasive intraparenchymal administration with hydrogen-releasing biomaterials, the system addresses the dual bottlenecks of poor drug penetration across the blood-spinal cord barrier and insufficient neutralization of reactive oxygen species. Ferroptosis inhibition is achieved through iron chelation and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) stabilization, while hydrogen gas scavenges hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite. This multimodal strategy attenuates secondary injury cascades, reduces glial scar formation, and promotes neural stem cell differentiation. The work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82574518) and the Talent Cultivation Project of Paring Academicians with Young Talents in higher education institutions in Zhejiang. The authors declare no conflict of interest. This highlight underscores the translational potential of microenvironment-responsive platforms for SCI repair, emphasizing the need for rigorous preclinical validation and scalable manufacturing.
Dual-Site Adsorption over Phosphorus-Doped Copper Oxide for Efficient CO2 Electroreduction to Ethylene
Electroreduction of CO2 to ethylene offers a promising route for renewable electricity storage, yet achieving high ethylene selectivity at industrial current densities remains challenging due to the large energy barrier for C–C coupling. Here, we report a “MOF-assisted in situ doping” strategy to introduce the oxophilic nonmetal phosphorus (P) into the copper oxide (CuO) lattice, constructing a localized Cu–P dual-site adsorption configuration for the key *OCCHO intermediate. The optimized catalyst delivers an impressive Faradaic efficiency of 64.6% for ethylene with a partial current density of 646 mA cm-2. Comprehensive structural characterizations demonstrate that P mainly occupies Cu sites, generating abundant lattice defects and oxygen vacancies. In situ synchrotron infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations reveal that P doping modulates the electronic structure of Cu, optimizes the binding energies of *CO and *CHO, and stabilizes *OCCHO via P–O/Cu–C dual-site adsorption, thereby significantly lowering the asymmetric C-C coupling energy barrier to 0.74 eV. This work highlights a dual-site microenvironment regulation strategy for CO2-to-ethylene electroreduction.
Hydrophilic Single-Atom Interface Unlocks Low-Potential CO Removal on Pt in PEMFCs
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) fed with reformate hydrogen suffer severe anode poisoning by trace CO, necessitating high CO electrooxidation potentials that degrade performance and durability. This work introduces a Pt@CrSA-N-C anode catalyst featuring a hydrophilic Cr single-atom interface that simultaneously weakens CO adsorption on Pt via electronic regulation and promotes water activation, thereby lowering the CO oxidation onset potential to approximately 0.13 V vs. RHE. The onset potential was determined by two independent methods: the first potential at which the background-corrected current exceeds 0 mA cm-2 during CO oxidation reaction tests in a three-electrode system, and the potential at which the forward scan current exceeds the N2 background current in CO-stripping voltammetry. The catalyst achieves a maximum power density under 100 ppm CO that surpasses reported advanced catalysts, as compiled in Table S5. Structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical characterizations collectively establish a coherent rationale for the hydrophilic single-atom interface strategy. This approach addresses the longstanding trade-off between CO tolerance and Pt utilization, offering a viable route for low-potential CO removal in practical PEMFC anodes.
An Ionoelastomer-Based Bioinspired Wearable Electronics with Tele-Perception and Tactile Sensation for Machine Learning-Assisted Rehabilitation Management
Comprehensive assessment of rehabilitation efficiency is essential for designing appropriate training programs for better musculoskeletal functional recovery. Existing contact-receptor-dependent rehabilitation assessment systems mostly focus on assessing the restoration of muscle function by evaluating grip strength or joint flexion angle; however, parameters reflecting neuromuscular synergistic function are always overlooked. Herein, we develop an ionoelastomer-based soft artificial electroreceptor (SAER) that integrates tele-perception and tactile sensation to track the rehabilitation process, collecting signals related to approaching speed and grip strength sequentially. The SAER uses polyurethane ionoelastomer incorporated with quasi-solid conductive salt as the electric field receptor, and is integrated on a rehabilitation-training ball after assembly to establish an untethered detection device; this enables the remote capture of hand approaching parameter within a 9 cm range, followed by the quantification of grip strength when contacting and grasping. Furthermore, a data-driven assessment system is established by integrating machine learning, which accurately classifies rehabilitation efficiency into six levels; it supports for rehabilitation evaluation and training programs adjustment. Overall, the SAER-based rehabilitation management system establishes a paradigm that synergistically evaluating parameters corresponding to neuromuscular functional restoration and holds strong potential for home-based active rehabilitation for minimizing dependence on frequent clinical supervision.
Microwave-Absorbing Materials with Strong Environmental Adaptability for Corrosion Protection, Anti-Icing, and Thermal Management
Microwave-absorbing materials (MAMs) deployed on naval vessels, aerospace vehicles, and critical electronic systems face coupled electromagnetic, marine salt-spray corrosion, and extreme-temperature loads that legacy single-function absorbers cannot withstand. This review consolidates progress on three environmentally adaptive MAM classes: corrosion-protective, anti-icing, and thermal-management absorbers. The electromagnetic loss and impedance-matching fundamentals are first established, then the synergistic mechanisms, design strategies, and characterization protocols for each class are examined against representative material systems and their measured performance. The analysis identifies a shared design logic—multiscale hierarchical architecture, interfacial polarization engineering, and multifunctional phase integration—while distinguishing the divergent protection mechanisms: barrier and passivation effects for corrosion, surface-energy and latent-heat regulation for anti-icing, and phonon–electron transport decoupling for thermal management. Persistent bottlenecks include the trade-off between impedance matching and protective-layer density, the absence of standardized coupled-field test protocols, and the scarcity of long-term salt-spray and thermal-cycling durability data. Future directions are delineated: intelligent self-adaptive absorbers, multiphysics-coupled simulation frameworks, and environmentally benign multifunctional integration. The review provides a theoretical and technical basis for the design, construction, and engineering scale-up of next-generation high-performance absorbers for aerospace, electronic, and marine equipment.