Engineering a black phosphorus-based magnetic nanosystem armed with antibacterial N-halamine polymer for recyclable blood disinfection

Abstract

Sepsis triggered by microorganism contamination in circulating blood poses a major threat to human health. In this work, we engineered a black phosphorus-based magnetic nanosystem armed with antibacterial N-halamine polymer for the recyclable treatment of blood infections. We designed hydrophilic, positively charged Fe3O4 nanoparticles capable of rapidly compounding with negatively charged BP and N-halamine polymers through electrostatic interaction. We then examined their antibacterial recyclability for the disinfection of blood, using both stationary and in-flow methods. In aqueous solution and stationary blood, 100% disinfection was achieved, and in low- and high-velocity circulating blood, it reduced the bacterial load from 106 to 101 and 102 CFU mL−1, respectively. The addition of Fe3O4 nanoparticles endowed the nanosystem with super-magnetic properties that allowed it to be completely separated from blood. The N-halamine polymer render the nanosystem excellent antibacterial rechargeability via transformation between N–H and N-Cl. Importantly, the as-prepared nanosystem also exhibited excellent hemocompatibility. These results indicate that the synergistic combination of recyclable Fe3O4 nanoparticles, renewable N-halamine, and biocompatible BP could be effective for disinfecting blood and treating sepsis.