Aqueous Dispersion of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Using Tetra-Phenyl Bimesitylene Derivative via Noncovalent Modification and Improved Antimicrobial Activity.

Abstract

Tetra-arylbimesityl derivative containing carboxylic groups have successfully been utilized in dispersing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in aqueous solutions through sonication and centrifugation procedures. The dispersion process and the characterization of final stabilized SWNTs were accomplished using analytical techniques, providing sufficient evidences on the preparation of the dispersed SWNTs in water. All the prepared SWNT water dispersions were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against three different reference strains namely Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, and have shown considerable selective activity against the Gram-positive strain Staphylococcus aureus.