Atomic‐to‐Nanoscale Engineering of Piezocatalytic Heterojunctions for Ultrasound‐Triggered Osteomyelitis Therapy

L Lijing Chen C Chaofeng Wang S Shuilin Wu C Congyang Mao Y Yuan Li C Cuihong Chen (Biomedical Materials Engineering Research Center Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Ministry‐of‐Education Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials School of Materials Science & Engineering State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering Hubei University Wuhan China) T Talante Juma (Department of Orthopedics Peking University First Hospital Beijing China) Y Yongping Cao Y Yu Wang X Xiangmei Liu

Abstract

ABSTRACT Osteomyelitis, primarily caused by methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), poses critical clinical challenges, including drug‐resistant infections and insufficient bone regeneration. Herein, we propose a mechano‐electro‐chemical energy conversion paradigm based on an atomic‐to‐nanoscale synergistic strategy, realized by constructing a heterojunction between sulfur‐doped zinc oxide and bismuth ferrite (S‐ZnO/BiFeO 3 ). At the atomic level, sulfur doping induces lattice distortion and oxygen vacancies, narrowing the bandgap of ZnO. At the nanoscale level, sulfur doping modulates crystal growth, transforming ZnO nanoblocks into thinner nanosheets that establish intimate interfacial coupling with BiFeO 3 . This dual‐scale synergy amplifies the piezoelectric coefficient (d 33 ) tenfold, significantly enhancing the ultrasound (US)‐responsive piezocatalytic output. Under US, the enhanced piezocatalytic field facilitates directional charge migration and continuous reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, achieving a 99.45% antibacterial rate against MRSA while effectively inhibiting biofilm growth. Transcriptomic profiling reveals that this energy conversion process eliminates MRSA via a multi‐target collapse of membrane defense, ion homeostasis, and energy metabolism. Concurrently, S‐ZnO/BiFeO 3 promotes osteogenic differentiation through US‐triggered microcurrents and Zn 2+ release. In vivo results validated robust bactericidal potency, osseointegrative kinetics, and excellent biocompatibility. This study establishes a mechano‐electro‐chemical energy conversion paradigm via atomic‐to‐nanoscale engineering, offering a high‐performance platform for precise piezocatalytic therapy.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 38, Issue 46
Published August 01, 2026
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (10)

L

Lijing Chen

C

Chaofeng Wang

S

Shuilin Wu

C

Congyang Mao

Y

Yuan Li

C

Cuihong Chen

Biomedical Materials Engineering Research Center Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Ministry‐of‐Education Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials School of Materials Science & Engineering State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering Hubei University Wuhan China

T

Talante Juma

Department of Orthopedics Peking University First Hospital Beijing China

Y

Yongping Cao

Y

Yu Wang

X

Xiangmei Liu