Antibacterial Efficiency Research Articles

Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on Ctenopharyngodon idella: Synthesis, Characterization, Antibacterial Activity, and Toxicological Assessment.

Currently, nanotechnology (NT) and nanoparticles (NPs) have gained significant attention in the scientific field due to their diverse application history. Particularly, in environmental applications, their antibacterial efficiency in fisheries due to antibacterial resistance. However, the NPs have been found toxic in the environment. Therefore, the current study aimed to fabricate less toxic NPs using environmentally dried leaves to check their antibacterial efficacy and possible toxicity against grass carp. The findings confirmed the good dispersity of obtained AgNPs, which further showed promising antibacterial activity against several bacterial isolates including Staphylococcus with a zone of inhibition (23.73 ± 0.57 nm). Also, the AgNPs were exposed to the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) for possible toxicity and toxic effects. First, the bioaccumulation of AgNPs was significantly observed in gills followed by intestines and muscles (p < 0.05). Finally, the AgNPs mainly accumulate in the liver, followed by the intestine, gills, and muscles. Additionally, the deposition of AgNPs in various organs resulted in histological alteration such as necrosis and infiltration of red blood cells in the intestine and the fusion of gill lamella. Hence, the synthesized NPs using dried leaf extract could be a promising approach in applied science. The significant features of the nanoparticles in the present work using green synthesis can help in synthesizing less toxic materials.

Unusual Antibacterial Property and Selectivity Enabled by Tuning Nanozyme Activities of L-Arginine Derived Carbon Dots.

Functional integration of antimicrobial activity and cell proliferation promotion at low concentrations is important for the clinical application of carbon dots (CDs). In this study, the precursor, L-arginine, and dopant, copper salt, are used to prepare copper-doped CDs (Cu-CDs). Owing to their excellent synergistic enzyme-like activities, Cu-CDs can rapidly increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) to lethal levels, preferentially in bacteria, and exhibit potent antibacterial ability, which can mainly be attributed to the membrane disruption effect. Concurrently, the cell proliferation-promoting activity of arginine-derived CDs is inherited. The Cu-CDs achieve perfect integration of dual functions at low concentrations, especially advantageous for applications. With as little as 100µgmL-1 of Cu-CDs, the infected wound heals obviously faster than 2mgmL-1 of antibiotic, although the traditional antibiotic group shows slightly better antibacterial efficiency, suggesting its effect in simultaneously scavenging bacteria and promoting tissue repair effect in vivo. The super selective mechanism probably originates from the endocytosis of Cu-CDs by mammalian cells, while superoxide dismutase down-regulates ROS levels in cells to act as a mitotic signaling agent for promoting cell growth. This strategy provides an efficient, convenient, and safe solution to combat bacterial infections, and suggests a novel approach for modifying antimicrobial biomaterials.

Coordination-Driven in Situ Grown Copper Peroxide in Mesoporous Dopamine with Self-Supplied H2O2 for Synergistic Enhanced PTT/CDT Antibacterial Treatment and Wound Healing.

As antibiotic resistance increases, alternative antimicrobial methods become essential. Chemical dynamics therapy (CDT) utilizing copper peroxide (CuO2) nanodots shows significant potential in antibacterial applications due to its ability to self-supply hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on its own. This characteristic effectively addresses the challenges of low H2O2 levels and high glutathione (GSH) expression in the bacterial infection microenvironment. However, its tendency to aggregate and instability greatly affect its effectiveness. Therefore, this study developed a coordination-driven strategy to prepare copper peroxide-loaded mesoporous polydopamine nanomaterials (CuO2@MPDA) through in situ growth of CuO2 in mesoporous polydopamine utilizing the chelating interaction between amino and catechol structures of MPDA with copper ions. This strategy not only ensures that copper peroxide is evenly distributed within the pores of mesoporous polydopamine but also protects it through the shielding effect of pores, greatly enhancing its dispersibility and stability. More notably, the loading of CuO2 enhances the photothermal performance of MPDA by broadening its light absorption range, and MPDA-mediated photothermal therapy (PTT) can accelerate CuO2 to produce more hydroxyl radicals by speeding up chemical reactions, resulting in a combined boost in PTT and CDT. The developed CuO2@MPDA nanomaterials at very low concentrations exhibit improved antibacterial efficiency both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, this study provides an innovative strategy to construct an antibacterial nanoplatform for synergistically enhanced PTT/CDT dual-mode antibacterial treatment, exhibiting great potential for future biomedical applications.

Broad-Spectrum Bactericidal Multifunctional Tiny Silicon-Based Nanoparticles Modified with Tannic Acid for Healing Infected Diabetic Wounds.

Infected chronic wounds, in particular, diabetic wounds, are hard to heal, posing a global health concern with high morbidity and mortality rates. Diabetic full-thickness wounds infected with E. coli belong to the most difficult to heal chronic infected wounds. Here, we introduced tannic acid-modified silicon-based nanoparticles (TA-SiNPs) with broad-spectrum bactericidal activity that bacteria develop minimal resistance to, and they can effectively treat full-thickness wounds in diabetic mice infected with E. coli. Our findings indicate that these TA-SiNPs could achieve 100% antibacterial efficiency against S. aureus and 99.83% against E. coli, underlied by a positive surface charge and tannic acid groups facilitating bacterial membrane chemical composition depletion and depolarization of the membrane. In addition, we showed that spraying TA-SiNPs onto the skin wound of diabetic mice infected with E. coli resulted in wound healing with 98% closure after 12 days, in stark contrast to 49% of the control (PBS) and 68% of the one treated with Ofloxacin. Along with infection inhibition and ROS scavenging, we identified cell proliferation stimulation, inflammatory cytokine downregulation, and healing cytokine upregulation in the lesion, favoring the healing process. This study not only demonstrates the feasibility of employing silicon-based nanoparticles in diabetic wound healing for the first time, but also reports the first broad-spectrum bactericidal silicon nanodots. Furthermore, this provides novel insights into the mechanism of tannin-based nanoparticles disrupting bacterial membranes by depleting their chemical constituents. Our results highlighted that the developed TA-SiNPs are an effective nanomaterial for treating the infected chronic wounds.

Innovative biopolymers composite based thin film for wound healing applications

Efficient wound and burn healing is crucial for minimising complications, preventing infections, and enhancing overall well-being, necessitating the development of innovative strategies. This study aimed to formulate a novel thin film combining chitosan, carboxymethyl cellulose, tannic acid, and beeswax for improved wound healing applications. Several formulations, incorporating chitosan, carboxymethyl cellulose, tannic acid, and beeswax in various percentages, were utilized to deposit thin films via the solvent evaporation technique, Mechanical properties, morphology, antioxidant activity, antibacterial efficacy, and wound healing potential were evaluated. The optimized thin film (M4), composed of 2% chitosan, 2% carboxymethyl cellulose, and 1% tannic acid, along with 0.2% glycerol and 0.2% tween80, exhibited a thickness of 39.0 ± 1.14 μm and a tensile strength of 0.275 ± 0.003 MPa. It demonstrated a swelling degree of 283.0 ± 2.0% and a drug release capacity of 89.4% within 24 h. The film also showed a low contact angle of 40.5° and a water vapour transmission rate of 1912.25 ± 13.10 g m−2 0.24 h−1. FT-IR spectroscopy indicated that chitosan and carboxymethyl cellulose were cross-linked through amide linkages, with tannic acid occupying the interstitial spaces and hydrogen bonding stabilizing the structure. Microscopy of M4 revealed a uniform morphology. The film exhibited strong antioxidant activity of (95.17 ± 0.02%) and antibacterial efficiency (80.8%) against S. aureus. In a rabbit model, the film significantly enhanced burn and excision wound recovery, with 90.0 ± 3.3% healing for burns and 88.85 ± 1.7% for infected wounds by day 7. Complete skin regeneration was observed within 10–12 days. The M4 thin film demonstrated exceptional mechanical properties and bioactivity, offering protection against pathogens and promoting efficient wound healing. These findings suggest its potential for further investigation in treating various infections and its role in developing novel therapeutic interventions.

A Honeycomb Film Template-Based Method for High-Throughput Preparation of Anti-Salmonella typhimurium 14,028 Phage Microgels

Developing efficient anti-microbials for thoroughly addressing Salmonella contamination is essential for the improvement of food safety. Phage-built materials have shown great potential for biocontrol in environments. Due to challenges in delivery and stability, their widespread use has remained unattainable. Here, we have developed a honeycomb film template-based method for the high-throughput preparation of phage microgels. The honeycomb film template can be simply fabricated in a humid chamber based on a well-established breath figure method. The bacteriophage microgels can be further manufactured by dropping a pre-gelation solution containing bacteriophages into a honeycomb film template. This method can produce over 210,000 phage microgels in every square centimeter template with each microgel containing 1.04 × 107 phages. They can kill 99.90% of the contaminated S. typhimurium 14,028 on chicken samples. This simple, heat-free, and solvent-free method can maintain the strong anti-bacterial efficiency of phages, which can expand the wide application of phage-built microgels for food decontamination.

Single-step hydrothermal synthesis of zinc oxide nanorods for potential use as nano-antibiotics without seeding or bases.

The alarming global rise in antibiotic resistance, driven by the widespread overuse of traditional antibiotics, has created an urgent demand for new antimicrobial solutions. This study presents zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods as a potential nano-antibiotic agent. ZnO nanorods, with a 2:3 aspect ratio, were synthesized using an efficient one-step hydrothermal method at a low temperature of 100°C, reducing the synthesis time to just 5 hours. The synthesized ZnO nanorods' morphology, structure, and composition were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The potent antimicrobial activity of these nanorods against common bacterial strains such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus was examined through optical density at 600 nm (OD600) measurements and inhibition zone analysis, demonstrating substantial inhibition of bacterial growth. In particular, at a concentration of 5 mg/mL, ZnO nanorods achieved a 96% reduction of B. subtilis bacteria in OD600 and an impressive 99.87% reduction in culturing assays within one day, showcasing bactericidal efficiency on par with tetracycline at 0.003 mg/mL. Furthermore, a predictive model of bacterial growth was developed and validated, providing insights into the time-dependent bactericidal efficiency of the synthesized nanorods. These results highlight the potential of ZnO-based composites as a promising solution to combat antibiotic resistance, paving the way for next-generation antimicrobial materials.

Crotalaria madurensis flavonol glycosides’ antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are prevalent in hospitals and often lead to significant health complications. This study aimed to explore the chemical composition of the aerial part of Crotalaria madurensis and evaluate its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The impact of gamma irradiation on the antibacterial properties of the plant extract and metabolite 1 against MRSA was also examined. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis was conducted on the filtrates of untreated MRSA and MRSA treated with the plant extract and metabolite 1. Four flavonol glycosides were identified as gossypetin 8-methoxy, 3-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (metabolite 1), gossypetin 8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (metabolite 2), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucpyranoside (Astragalin, metabolite 3), and herbacetin 7-methoxy-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (metabolite 4). All metabolites exhibited significant antioxidant properties using different assays. The antibacterial efficacy of the extract and metabolite 1, which showed substantial antioxidant properties compared to the other isolated metabolites, was evaluated. Both the plant extract and metabolite 1 significantly reduced the viability and cell count of MRSA at concentrations of 1.0 and 0.5 mg/ml. The antibacterial activity of the plant extract and metabolite 1 was assessed after gamma irradiation at 50 and 100 Gy, which did not significantly affect the antibacterial efficiency. FTIR analysis indicated that the plant extract and metabolite 1 significantly altered the band frequency values, bandwidth, and peak intensity % of the treated MRSA filtrate. Molecular docking studies suggested that metabolite 1 exhibited the highest antioxidant and anti-MRSA activity, with strong binding scores like the ligand, indicating an effective interaction and high affinity between metabolite 1 and the target molecule.

Bio-inspired synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using Taraxacum officinale for antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer applications

A green synthesis method was developed to fabricate ZnO nanomaterials using Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) leaf extract as a reducing agent and zinc sulfate heptahydrate as a precursor. Characterization by XRD, EDAX, FTIR, FESEM, and UV–vis spectroscopy confirmed the successful formation of ZnO nanocrystals with enhanced crystallinity following annealing. The ZnO nanomaterials exhibited significant bioactivity, demonstrating 85 % antibacterial efficiency against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, along with 70 % antifungal activity. Furthermore, the nanomaterials showed promising anticancer effects, achieving a 60 % reduction in human cancer cell viability. This eco-friendly approach minimizes the use of toxic chemicals typically involved in nanoparticle synthesis, providing a sustainable alternative for producing functional oxide nanoparticles. The use of plant-based reducing agents not only makes the process safer and more biocompatible but also enhances the potential for biomedical applications. ZnO nanomaterials produced through this method offer great promise for antimicrobial therapies and cancer treatment. This efficient, green synthesis method can be further scaled for various applications, highlighting its relevance in fields such as nanomedicine, where bioactivity and eco-friendly synthesis are essential.

Antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities of gold-curcumin nanohybrids and its polydopamine form upon photo-sonotherapy of Staphylococcus aureus infected implants: In vitro and animal model studies

Implant-related infections are among the major post-surgery problems, and treatment of these infections is challenging due to the formation of biofilms by microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus. Herein, a novel gold-curcumin nanohybrid (GCNH) was synthesized for the first time and characterized. GCNH had a band gap energy of 2.41 eV, a zeta potential of −15 mV, and comprised uniform spherical particles with a mean diameter of 8 ± 2 nm. The biological macromolecule of polydopamine was then coated on GCNH to prepare a gold-curcumin-polydopamine nanohybrid (GCDNH). The nanohybrids were employed as novel dual photo-sonosensitizers for bacterial eradication by near-infrared (NIR) light and ultrasound (US) irradiations. GCNH and GCDNH represented photothermal conversion efficiencies of 26 and 32 %, respectively, and GCDNH represented a hemolysis rate of 2.3 % under both near-infrared (NIR) light and ultrasound (US) irradiations. NIR light and US irradiations (photo-sonotherapy) of Staphylococcus aureus using GCDNH depicted anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm efficiencies of 98 and 99 %, respectively, in synergistic manners, which are higher or as high as other sensitizers reported previously. The mechanism of photo-sonotherapy was related to generation of high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and protein and nucleic acid leakages. In an in vivo infection model, NIR light and US irradiations annihilated Staphylococcus aureus on GCDNH-covered implants with high efficiency, without causing damage to normal tissues.

Development of Ti-Zr-Nb-Ta-Ag high entropy alloy for dental implants: In vitro corrosion behavior, antibacterial effect, and surface characteristics

This study presents a new biological high-entropy alloy (Bio-HEA) composed of 35Ti-35Zr-20Nb-5Ta-5Ag (at. %) for potential dental implant applications. The Bio-HEA underwent processing for various durations of mechanical alloying, followed by compaction and sintering. The processed Bio-HEA was tested for corrosion resistance in an artificial saliva medium, antibacterial properties, and surface characteristics. Surface topography and wettability were investigated using atomic force microscopy, surface profilometry, and contact angle measurements. Mechanical alloying, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of a solid-solution Bio-HEA with body-centered cubic crystal structures, with phase variations depending on the processing conditions. The Bio-HEA exhibited significantly higher microhardness values (4.38 GPa and 5.35 GPa) than commercial pure titanium (CPTi) and Ti-6Al-4V alloy, respectively. An increased ball-milling time resulted in higher microhardness for Bio-HEA and enhanced in vitro corrosion resistance in artificial saliva compared to CPTi. This was evidenced by a significant nobler shift of approximately 200 mV in the corrosion potential, with a prominent decrease of approximately two orders of magnitude in the corrosion current density and a higher charge transfer resistance. Additionally, the Bio-HEA demonstrated a lower contact angle compared to that of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy and CPTi. The Bio-HEA achieved antibacterial efficiencies of 91.76 % and 93.0 % compared to Ti-6Al-4V alloy and CPTi, respectively. The enhanced microhardness, antibacterial properties, in vitro corrosion resistance in artificial saliva, and wettability of Bio-HEA compared to commercial Ti-6Al-4V alloy and CPTi makes it a promising candidate for dental bioimplant applications.

Physicochemical, optical and magnetic properties of ZrO2/Fe2O3 nanocomposite and its application in photocatalysis and antibacterial treatment

In this work ZrO2/Fe2O3 nanocomposite was synthesised through hydrothermal method using an innovative approach. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the formation of tetragonal ZrO2 and α-Fe2O3 in the nanocomposite. The FTIR spectra of the prepared samples exhibited characteristic peaks corresponding to ZrO2 and Fe2O3 and UV–Visible spectroscopy reveals that the nanocomposite exhibits a significantly lesser bandgap than the pure nanoparticles as determined by the Kubelka Munk function used for bandgap computation. Photoluminescence analysis substantiates the reduction in the recombination rate in the ZrO2/Fe2O3 nanocomposite as compared to the pure ZrO2 nanoparticles. Reduction in the bandgap as well as the recombination rate makes the nanocomposite favourable in the photocatalytic treatment of organic pollutants. Raman analysis was carried out to study the vibrational characteristics of the samples. Further, the prepared nanocomposite was examined for its applicability in photocatalysis, by analysing its degradation ability on Eosin yellow and Eosin Blue dyes under white light LED irradiation. The composite exhibited significant degradation ability than the pure nanoparticles, which makes it an ideal candidate for the treatment of organic pollutants. The nanocomposite exhibited ferromagnetic behaviour as confirmed through Vibrating sample Magnetometry, so it can be easily retrieved after the treatment. The prepared ZrO2/Fe2O3 nanocomposite was tested for its antibacterial efficacy against two Gram positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus) and two Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). From the antibacterial studies it was validated that the nanocomposite exhibited significant antibacterial efficiencies against the bacteria. Hence the prepared nanocomposite has been proved to be a potential candidate for the treatment of organic pollutants as well as for antibacterial treatment.

A Novel pH-Responsive Nano-Sized Lanthanum-Doped Polyvinyl Alcohol-Carbon Quantum Dot Composite for Root Canal Irrigation.

The primary goals of endodontic therapy are to eliminate microbes and prevent reinfection. Persistent root canal infections and failure of root canal therapy are primarily attributed to the presence of bacteria, particularly E. faecalis. Chemical irrigants play a crucial role in complementing mechanical instrumentation in ensuring adequate disinfection. However, current techniques and available irrigants are limited in their ability to achieve optimal sterilization of the root canal system. In this study, we developed a novel material called La@PCDs by combining CQD-PVA and lanthanum for root canal irrigation. A one-pot hydrothermal method was used to prepare composites of lanthanum and CQD-PVA (La@PCDs). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and the particle size were employed to characterize La@PCDs. ROS generation was evaluated by measuring the fluorescence intensity emitted at 525 nm from 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). In vitro experiments were conducted to assess the effectiveness of the nanoparticles in combating Enterococcus faecalis and eradicating in situ biofilm eradication in root canal. Furthermore, cytotoxicity assessments were carried out to demonstrate the safety of La@PCDs. SEM and FTIR results showed that La@PCDs were successfully prepared and exhibiting a homogeneous size distribution and irregular morphology. ROS assessment demonstrated that La@PCDs have a synergistic effect, promoting the production of a large number of ROS. This effect only occurred under acidic PH conditions. The inherent acidity in the biofilm microenvironment can act as internal stimulus. In vitro experiments revealed superior antibacterial efficiency under acidic conditions without causing significant cytotoxicity compared to the commonly used NaClO irrigant. The biosafety of La@PCDs was confirmed. Compared to existing materials, these nanoparticles exhibit favorable antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties, along with improved biocompatibility. These findings emphasize the potential of the integrated La@PCDs as a promising option for enhancing root canal irrigation and disinfection.

Development of Technology for Providing Antimicrobial Properties to Medical Disposable Masks.

Wearing masks to protect against communicable diseases is an effective tool used in many countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The antibacterial activity, antibacterial efficiency, microbial purity, and breathability properties of medical disposable masks are very important. Ag is most commonly applied to antimicrobial textiles. In this work, three antimicrobial additives were used. Four compositions of the binders with antimicrobial additives were prepared and applied to one-layer non-woven PP material. The influence of the binder antimicrobial polymer coating on the breathability and antibacterial activity of the non-woven PP material was evaluated. The results show that the composition of the polyacrylic acid binder had the least effect on their breathability and samples with the silver chloride formulation showed the best antimicrobial response. Based on the microbiological and air permeability results of the samples of the one-layer non-woven material with coating, the samples of two layers and three layers of the medical mask model were prepared. Microbiological studies have shown that a three-layered medical mask model with silver chloride composition in the middle layer, on both sides of the model, has antibacterial efficiency against three pathogens (E. Coli, K. Pneumoniae, and S. Aureus). The performance of this medical mask model has been found to meet the requirements for type I medical masks according to the EN 14863 standard. Studies have shown that the microbial purity of the mask model is CFU/g < 3.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Characteristics of Hydroxyl Apatite Composite Material Coated on Nitrogen-doped TiO2 (HA/N-TiO2)

Photocatalytic technology using nano-material HA/TiO2 has been widely applied worldwide to treat pollutants, kill airborne gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, and candida fungi, especially indoor air. In this study, HA/N-TiO2 material was synthesized with oxidation-reduction absorption properties and photocatalytic ability in the visible-light irradiation that helps reduce costs compared to using ultraviolet light (UV). The structure and morphology of the material were evaluated using XRD, SEM methods, showing HA/N-TiO2 has a spherical crystal structure, sharp, and uniform with particle sizes ranging from 10 to 30 nm. To assessment of the antibacterial and antifungal efficiency of the material, we inoculated the culture of microorganisms on 10x10 cm tiles coated with HA/N-TiO2 solution with the coating thickness of 0.3 µm. This coating thickness resulted in optimal antibacterial efficacy. With continuous fluorescent light 20 W exposure for 1-9 hours, up to 96-100% of inoculated bacteria were eliminated. In real-scale experiments on the wall surfaces, the quantity of bacteria and mold decreased by 20% after 30 days when treated with HA/N-TiO2 solution compared to the control sample. HA/N-TiO2 material has the potential to treat bacteria and fungi on a practical scale if there is further cost-benefit analysis extensive research.

Designing an eco-friendly Co/MnS/S-g-C3N4 nanocomposites: revolutionizing photocatalytic dye degradation and antibacterial efficiency

Designing an eco-friendly Co/MnS/S-g-C3N4 nanocomposites: revolutionizing photocatalytic dye degradation and antibacterial efficiency

Plasmonic Supramolecular Nanozyme-Based Bio-Cockleburs for Synergistic Therapy of Infected Diabetic Wounds.

Diabetic wounds are a major devastating complication of diabetes due to hyperglycemia, bacterial invasion, and persistent inflammation, and the current antibiotic treatments can lead to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Herein, a bimetallic nanozyme-based biomimetic bio-cocklebur (GNR@CeO2@GNPs) is designed and synthesized for diabetic wound management by depositing spiky ceria (CeO2) shells and gold nanoparticles (GNPs) on a gold nanorod (GNR) nanoantenna. The plasmonic-enhanced nanozyme catalysis and self-cascade reaction properties simultaneously boost the two-step enzyme-mimicking catalytic activity of GNR@CeO2@GNPs, leading to a significant improvement in overall therapeutic efficacy rather than mere additive effects. Under the glucose activation and 808nm laser irradiation, GNR@CeO2@GNPs material captures photons and promotes the transfer of hot electrons from GNR and GNPs into CeO2, realizing a "butterfly effect" of consuming local glucose, overcoming the limited antibacterial efficiency of an individual PTT modality, and providing substantial reactive oxygen species. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate the material's exceptional antibacterial and antibiofilm properties against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, which can reduce inflammation, promote collagen deposition, and facilitate angiogenesis, thereby accelerating wound healing. This study provides a promising new strategy to develop plasmonic-enhanced nanozymes with a catalytic cascade mode for the antibiotic-free synergistic treatment of infected diabetic wounds.

Recycling primary batteries into advanced graphene flake-based multifunctional smart textiles for energy storage, strain sensing, electromagnetic interference shielding, antibacterial, and deicing applications

Batteries are extensively used owing to their pivotal role in energy storage. However, their adverse environmental impact remains a significant challenge. The prevailing technologies for treating and handling battery waste are remarkably complex and expensive, highlighting the urgent need to upcycle spent battery materials into valuable resources to mitigate their environmental footprint. To that end, this paper reports a scheme for recycling graphite rods and Zn from Zn–C batteries. In this approach, polymeric composites synthesized using graphene flakes extracted from the graphite rods of spent batteries are used to fabricate multifunctional cotton textiles, and the outer Zn case of the spent batteries is employed as a Zn anode in energy storage devices. The synthesized multifunctional fabric shows excellent energy storage performance, particularly in Zn-ion hybrid supercapacitors, achieving a specific capacitance of 140 F g−1 at a scan rate of 0.5 A g−1; an electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency of ∼48 dB; wearable sensing capabilities for human motion detection; and Joule heating behavior for deicing. Moreover, the fabric exhibits remarkable antibacterial efficiency, with an approximately 27-mm-wide inhibition zone against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The “waste-to-wonder” strategy presented herein holds promise for environmental protection and innovative multifunctional textile fabrication.

Delamination of MXene using biomolecule: An effective strategy toward the utilization of delaminated MXene as fillers in polymer composites

AbstractWith the emergence of two‐dimensional (2D) materials analogous to graphene, transition metal carbides and carbonitrides with unique desirable characteristics known as MXenes have turned out to be a hot research topic. Recent studies increasingly focus on the structure–property relationships of MXenes and their hybrid formations with other materials. The exfoliation and delamination of MXenes using various agents is gaining attention, while their application in functional composites presents another exciting research direction. However, the exfoliation of multi‐layered MXene into few‐layered nanosheets using bio‐based agents remains underexplored. In this study, tannic acid (TA) is employed as a bio‐exfoliating agent to delaminate Ti3C2Tx MXene, while optimizing the ratio of TA to achieve efficient exfoliation and dye adsorption. The MXene/TA composites demonstrated a maximum adsorption capacity of 187.264 mg/g and a removal efficiency of 93.69% for methylene blue (MB) in water, in accordance with the Langmuir isotherm model. Furthermore, MB adsorption caused MXene to coagulate into floccules, enabling easy removal via filtration. The study highlights the trifold role of tannic acid in MXene as a delaminating, antimicrobial, and adsorption‐enhancing agent, creating a multifunctional MXene‐tannic acid system. It introduces a new class of hybrid materials with effective applications in water purification. Additionally, incorporating this hybrid material into polymers can fine‐tune their properties, leveraging the synergistic effects of the trio to develop high‐performance smart polymer composites for diverse applications.Highlights Synthesis of MXene from Ti3C2Tx Optimization of the delamination efficiency of the biomolecule tannic acid Characterization of tannic acid‐MXene delaminated composites Analysis of the antibacterial efficiency of tannic acid delaminated MXene Investigation of water purification efficiency of delaminated MXene

PH‐sensitive size/surface charge‐adaptive quaternary ammonium salt copolymer micelles for antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus

AbstractThe low penetration of antibacterial materials within biofilms results in a 1000‐fold decrease in bactericidal efficiency, complicating the complete removal of biofilms and potentially leading to persistent and recurrent bacterial infections that significantly impact human health. In this study, we present a multifunctional pH‐responsive antibacterial material based on random copolymers poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate decyl ammonium bromide‐co‐polyethylene glycol methacrylate) copolymer (PQACs10‐co‐PEGMA10). The PQACs10‐co‐PEGMA10 copolymers could self‐assemble into micelles in selective solvent water. With the stealth function of polyethylene glycol (PEG), the PQACs10‐co‐PEGMA10 micelles can rapidly penetrate biofilms in a physiological environment and exhibit excellent antibacterial activity by exposing the quaternary ammonium salt (QACs) in an acidic microenvironment to eliminate biofilm. Furthermore, PQACs10‐co‐PEGMA10 micelles were applied as coatings using a dropwise method. The PEG chain formed hydration layer and the QACs chain for sterilization can hinders bacterial adhesion and proliferation, thereby preventing biofilm formation. The results show that the minimal inhibit concentration values and minimum biofilm eradication concentrations of the PQACs10‐co‐PEGMA10 micelles against Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus were 64 and 128 μg/mL, respectively. The antifouling and antibacterial rates of micelle coating against S. aureus were more than 99.99%. Taken together, the pH‐responsive PQACs10‐co‐PEGMA10 micelles demonstrate a good ability to clear and prevent biofilms, holding promise for complete biofilm removal and a reduction in biofilm‐related infections.