Anti‐Infective Application of Graphene‐Like Silicon Nanosheets via Membrane Destruction

Abstract

The increasing problem of bacterial resistance to the currently effective antibiotics has resulted in the need for increasingly potent therapeutics to eradicate pathogenic microorganisms. 2D nanomaterials (2D NMs) have unique physical and chemical properties that make them attractive candidates for biomedical applications. Recently, the application of 2D NMs as antibacterial agents has attracted significant attention. Herein, a novel 2D graphene‐like silicon nanosheet (GS NS) antimicrobial agent is fabricated from pristine silicon crystals by ultrasonication, which results in a highly exfoliated planar morphology and a significantly larger surface area as compared with bulk silicon. The GS NSs exhibit remarkable in vitro broad‐spectrum bactericidal activity against Gram (−) Escherichia coli and Gram (+) Staphylococcus aureus because of a close interaction with the bacteria, which leads to highly efficient membrane destruction. The in vivo studies demonstrate that the local administration of GS NSs effectively mitigates implant‐related infection by reducing the bacterial burden of the extracted samples and accelerating the remission of local inflammation. Based on these encouraging results, GS NSs are expected to be a useful new member of the 2D NMs family, with the potential of effectively killing pathogenic bacteria in clinical applications.

Two‐Dimensional Silicene/Silicon Nanosheets: An Emerging Silicon‐Composed Nanostructure in Biomedicine

“…Reproduced with permission. [101] Copyright 2020, Wiley-VCH. ablation, chemotherapy, chemoreactive nanotherapy, and radiotherapy) and antibacterial utilizations.…”

“…On this ground, 2D graphene‐like SiNSs were directly fabricated from their pristine silicon crystal by the ultrasonication‐enabled selective delamination ( Figure a). [ 101 ] These as‐synthesized SiNSs featured distinct bactericidal activity, which was demonstrated on suppressing the growth of Gram (‐) Escherichia coli and Gram (+) Staphylococcus aureus . When the 2D SiNSs met the bacteria, they could attach to the surface of nanosheet‐treated bacteria with partial nanosheets inserting into the bacteria membrane.…”

“…[100] The selective delamination of pristine silicon crystals resulted in 2D SiNSs with antibacterial bioactivity via membrane destruction of the bacteria. [101] The unique 2D morphology, corresponding large surface area, and abundant surface chemistry of 2D silicene/silicon nanosheets facilitate their surface functionalization. Typically, there are three strategies to functionalize their surface.…”

“…[ 100 ] The selective delamination of pristine silicon crystals resulted in 2D SiNSs with antibacterial bioactivity via membrane destruction of the bacteria. [ 101 ]…”

“…Proliferating bacteria quantification on the c) implanted metal foils and d) preimplant soft tissues with the treatment of 2D silicon nanosheets at elevated doses. Reproduced with permission [101]. Copyright 2020, Wiley-VCH.…”