Constructing a Schottky junctions in PCL scaffolds : NIR triggers photo-electricity-catalysis coupling to promote osteogenic differentiation and antibacterial efficacy

Niu, Xiaohui and Pan, Renjie and Xiong, Jiaxing and Liao, Xin and Mao, Xuanyu and Xu, Rongcheng and Ye, Siyi and Cai, Shanshan and Xing, Hao (2026) Constructing a Schottky junctions in PCL scaffolds : NIR triggers photo-electricity-catalysis coupling to promote osteogenic differentiation and antibacterial efficacy. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 735: 139497. ISSN 0927-7757

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Abstract

Graphite-phase carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has attracted great attention in boosting the repair of infectious bone defects due to its extraordinary photoelectric conversion and carrier mobility. However, the excessive electron injection barrier and inefficient near-infrared (NIR) light absorption restrict its therapeutic efficacy. Herein, Cu nanoclusters (Cu NCs) were originally assembled on g-C3N4 by hydrothermal method, and interface defects were constructed to form Cu-g-C3N4 Schottky junctions, which were then added into polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds. On the one hand, Cu NCs induce surface electrons collective oscillation to extend the light absorption into the NIR region, then the produced hot electrons migrate to the built-in electric field of g-C3N4 by the Schottky junction, thereby improving the photoelectric properties. On the other hand, Cu NCs can couple with π-conjugated structures to reduce electron injection barrier, and act as electron traps to enrich delocalized electrons, thus boosting electron-hole separation and photocatalysis efficiency. Results prove that the Cu-g-C3N4 exhibits excellent NIR absorption, and the enhancement of photoelectric effect can be proved by a 50 % increase in transient photocurrent. The electrical signal can boost osteogenic differentiation as evidenced by a 2.9-fold upregulation of ALP and ARS expression, and a 45 % increase in osteogenic differentiation-related mRNA and BMP-2 levels. ROS with a yield improved to 66.9 % can rapidly destroy biofilms to boost ROS entry into bacteria, causing protein leakage and GSH consumption, thus achieving antibacterial rates of 91.6 % and 92.4 % against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively.