Abstract
Surface functionalization of nanomaterials is an area of current investigation that supports the development of new biomaterials for applications in biology and medicine. Herein we describe the synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial properties of the first examples of antibiotic-labeled graphitic carbon nanofibers (GCNFs) covalently functionalized with aminoglycoside and quinolone antibiotics. Ruthenium tetroxide oxidation of herringbone GCNFs gave higher amounts of surface carboxyl groups than previous methods. These carboxyl groups served as sites of attachment for antibiotics by acyl substitution. Bioassay of these novel, functionalized GCNFs using serial dilution and optical density methods demonstrated that antibiotic-labeled GCNFs possess significant antibacterial activity againstPseudomonas aeruginosa. The activity we observe for aminoglycoside-functionalized GCNFs suggests a membranolytic mechanism of action.
Highlights
Graphite carbon nanofibers (GCNFs) are novel nanoscale materials that can be prepared inexpensively, in multigram quantities, via the decomposition of carbon monoxide or hydrocarbons over mono- or bimetallic catalysts [1,2,3,4]
As opposed to noncovalent, methods were selected for the functionalization of GCNFs because it was expected that the covalent attachment of ligands would provide materials with greater stability
We considered that the covalent attachment of aminoglycoside antibiotics could be based on the reactions with surface oxides that are introduced by the treatment of GCNFs with an oxidant
Summary
Graphite carbon nanofibers (GCNFs) are novel nanoscale materials that can be prepared inexpensively, in multigram quantities, via the decomposition of carbon monoxide or hydrocarbons over mono- or bimetallic catalysts [1,2,3,4]. Three types of crystalline GCNFs can be obtained, designated as ribbons, platelets, or herringbones (Figure 1). Each of the GCNF structures maintains a minimum interlayer spacing of 0.34 nm, which corresponds to crystalline graphite. The unique structures and physical properties of GCNFs and their low cost of production compared to CNTs have generated interest in their use in a wide range of applications. The well-recognized potential of carbon nanomaterials, especially those that contain surface functionality, has resulted in a broader range of interest in the application of graphite nanofibers in biology, medicine, composite materials, and energy conversion. GCNF composite materials have been evaluated as solid state gas sensors [13]
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