Functionalized carbon-based nanomaterials and quantum dots with antibacterial activity: a review

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a complicated issue, especially when treating infectious immunodeficiency related diseases. In recent years, when compared to bulk materials, nanomaterials (NMs) with specific antibacterial activities have played a novel role in treating bacterial infections. Among NMs, quantum dots (QDs), specifically carbon containing QDs including graphene oxide QD (GOQD), graphene QD (GQD), and carbon QD (CQD), have demonstrated bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities via photodynamic (PD) effects against antibiotic resistant bacteria under a certain wavelength of light.

Area covered

In this mini-review, recent advances and challenges related to antibacterial and biocompatibility activities of modified GQD, GOQD, CQD, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are discussed.

Expert opinion

Lower stability and biocompatibility of QDs at higher doses in physiological conditions are major disadvantages. In this regard, functionalization of these QDs can result in appropriate bactericidal, biocompatibility, and biodegradability properties. In the case of CNTs including single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNTs) and multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNTs), aspect ratio (AR) is a determinant factor for the antibacterial value. Moreover, MWCNTs show a lower antibacterial ability compared to SWCNTs, which can be improved by modifying their surface.

KEYWORDS:

• Bacterial infections
• antibiotic resistance
• graphene oxide quantum dot
• graphene quantum dots
• carbon quantum dot
• carbon nanotube
• photodynamic therapy

Article highlights

• MNPs, MONPs, and antibiotics may be utilized to improve the bactericidal efficiency of QDs.

• PEG as antiopsonic can be an appropriate approach to modify QDs.

• Surface modification of QDs by spermidine, EDEA, and PEI can results in strong electrostatic interactions between the negative charge of the bacterial and QDs.

• More antibacterial activity has been reported for SWCNTs respected to MWCNTs.

• Encapsulation of antibacterial agents by open ended CNTs has been shown significant bactericidal effects.

• Type of bacteria based on Gram-positive or Gram-negative and type of functionalization should be considered to obtain suitable antibacterial or antibiofilm activities.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.