Multi-walled carbon nanotubes/epilson-polylysine nanocomposite with enhanced antibacterial activity

Abstract

Aims: To develop a new nano‐composite of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with enhanced antimicrobial activity. Methods and Results: A novel antimicrobial nanocomposite [MWNT‐epilson‐polylysine (MEPs)] was synthesized via covalent attachment of epilson‐polylysine on MWNTs with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) as the coupling agent. UV‐visible spectra and Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT‐IR) investigations indicate that MEPs is stable, with epilson‐polylysine leaching effectively eliminated. When compared to MWNTs, the new nano‐composite MEPs exhibits enhanced antimicrobial activities. In 20 mg l−1 suspensions, significant increases of 72·1, 64·5 and 69% against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus can be observed. The deposited film of MEPs also shows improved antibacterial activities and excellent antiadhensive efficacies against Ps. aeruginosa and Staph. aureus. Conclusions: Epilson‐polylysine functionalization of MWNTs with HDI as the bridge was found to be useful for improving the biocidal activity of MWNTs. Significance and Impact of the Study: The new nano‐composite MEPs with improved antimicrobial activity will substantially facilitate the application of MWNTs as the antimicrobial material such as medical device, food, pharmaceutical process and package.

Microbial toxicity of ethanolamines—Multiwalled carbon nanotubes

“…Meanwhile, CNT illustrated valuable activity against bacteria of digestive system. Decorating different functional groups on the CNT structure proved that the antimicrobial activity increased than that of pristine one . Adding conventional antibacterial agents like amoxicillin on the CNT structure could enhance the antimicrobial performance .…”

“…To develop the antimicrobial activity of CNT, they were functionalized with various functional groups such as metallic NPs and biochemical functionalities . Despite these materials are more active disinfectants, they showed that are unstable and separate from the main structure, easily …”

“…In contrast, carbon nanostructures are less solved, and could decorate with special functional groups in order to enhance novel potential in the disinfection area. [9][10][11] Among various carbon nanostructures, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been recently verified to own positive antimicrobial properties, and their relevant activities were attributed to the physical membrane-damage mechanism. 7,9,12 The former researches demonstrated that CNT showed the effective antimicrobial activity and high potential to defect the diseased pathogens.…”

“…Decorating different functional groups on the CNT structure proved that the antimicrobial activity increased than that of pristine one. 9,10,19 Adding Correspondence to: A. Amiri; e-mail: ahm.amiri@gmail.com Contract grant sponsor: Iranian Nano Technology Initiative conventional antibacterial agents like amoxicillin on the CNT structure could enhance the antimicrobial performance. 20 Nanocomposite conjugated with CNT depicted worthy antimicrobial activity against various strains particularly the resistant strain Staphylococcus aureus.…”

Antimicrobial Effects of Carbon Nanotubes

“…Zhou and Qi48 synthesized MWCNTÀepilsonÀpolylysine (MEP) via covalent attachment of epilsonÀpolylysine on MWCNTs with hexamethylene diisocyanate as the coupling agent. At 20 mg L À1 , the antimicrobial activity of MEPs towards E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus increased by 72.1%, 64.5% and 69%, respectively, compared to those of unmodi¯ed MWCNTs.…”