Single-walled carbon nanotubes exhibit strong antimicrobial activity.
We provide the first direct evidence that highly purified single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) exhibit strong antimicrobial activity. By using a pristine SWNT with a narrow diameter distribution, we demonstrate that cell membrane damage resulting from direct contact with SWNT aggregates is the likely mechanism leading to bacterial cell death. This finding may be useful in the application of SWNTs as building blocks for antimicrobial materials.
Kang
Seoktae
S
Department of Chemical Engineering, Yale University, P.O. Box 208286, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, USA.
Pinault
Mathieu
M
Pfefferle
Lisa D
LD
Elimelech
Menachem
M
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon