Synergistic bactericidal nanofibers with photothermal controlled release of antibiotics triggered by near infrared

Abstract Herein, a type of nanofibrous membrane was prepared by co-electrospinning of polycaprolactone, poly(methyl methacrylate), polyaniline, and roxithromycin. The temperature of the nanofibers increased by 20 °C with 1 min of near infrared (NIR) radiation, and then the drug release was accelerated significantly. The bactericidal rate toward Staphylococcus aureus reached 99% with the synergistic effect of heat and antibiotics. This study provides a new approach to solving the problem of bacterial resistance by synergistic strategies involving photothermal and on-demand release of drugs.