Surface-anchored carbon nanomaterials for antimicrobial surfaces

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) exhibit antimicrobial properties in liquid suspensions.
• Limited research exists on transferring CNM antimicrobial activity to material surfaces.
• Investigating CNM surface functionalization for antimicrobial applications is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antibacterial and antiviral efficacy of anchored carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) on silicone surfaces.
• To compare the performance of double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) and few-layer graphene (FLG) in non-oxidized and oxidized forms.
• To explore the potential of CNM-coated surfaces for combating bacterial and viral infections.

Main Methods:

• Air-brush spray deposition was used to anchor CNMs onto silicone substrates.
• Antibacterial activity was tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.
• Antiviral activity was assessed against SARS-CoV-2 on surgical masks.

Main Results:

• Anchored DWCNTs did not retain the moderate antibacterial effect observed in suspensions against P. aeruginosa.
• Graphene oxide demonstrated potent antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa when anchored to silicone.
• Oxidized DWCNTs exhibited antibacterial effects against S. aureus upon surface anchoring; no significant antiviral activity was detected.

Conclusions:

• Surface anchoring of specific CNMs, like graphene oxide and oxidized DWCNTs, can confer antibacterial properties to common materials.
• The efficacy of CNMs is dependent on their form and method of application (suspension vs. anchored).
• This study provides a foundation for developing novel antibacterial surfaces using CNMs.