As a multi-functional biosafety material with outstanding anti-ultraviolet property, good photocatalytic property as well as antibacterial activity, ZnO shows promising practical applications in both ...researches and developments. It has been widely used in the fields such as photocatalysis, antibacterial, UV protecting and so on. The unique photoelectric properties of ZnO promise it an effective photocatalyst. And it plays an important role in many fields such as organic matter, pollution treatment, environmental cleaning materials and biological medicine. In this review, we discussed the key factors which may affect the photocatalytic and antibacterial properties of ZnO based on the working mechanisms. Also, the methods that can be used to improve the performance of ZnO have been summarized. This review not only investigated the recent progress in the ZnO research and application development as photocatalysis and antibacterial, but also provided some useful information for researchers who are interested in engineering ZnO as photocatalysis and antibacterial agent.
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•Make a detailed analogy between the photocatalytic properties and antibacterial properties of ZnO.•Quoted a lot of our own experimental examples.•The table allows the reader to visually see the advantages of the various methods.•Graphic abstract directly shows the difference and connection between antibacterial and photocatalytic.
Biodegradable materials, especially Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys, are preferred for bone implants due to their compatibility with host tissue and biomechanical support. However, their rapid ...corrosion and vulnerability to structural failure, compounded by infections from antibiotic-resistant bacteria, pose significant challenges. Addressing these issues, we developed silicate-based composite coatings with varying CuO concentrations (1, 5, and 7 wt%) on Mg using plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). This study evaluated the coatings' surface characteristics, degradation behavior, and optimum composition. Our analyses, including XPS and EDX, confirmed the presence and influence of CuO on the coatings. We observed enhanced hydroxyapatite crystallization in CuO-doped coatings, which is critical for implant biocompatibility. These coatings also showed improved corrosion resistance and controlled ion release, likely due to silicate composition and CuO's sealing effects. Antimicrobial assays revealed that CuO concentration influenced bacterial and fungal adhesion, varying with microorganism type. Our findings demonstrate that incorporating inert copper particles into PEO coatings alters their chemical and elemental properties, enhancing bioactivity, corrosion resistance, and antimicrobial efficacy. These multifaceted improvements position our CuO-doped silicate coatings as a pioneering solution in bone implant technology, potentially setting new standards for safety, efficacy, and longevity in orthopedic and dental implants.
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•Eco-friendly PAN composite was prepared by using biomass materials.•PAN composite had excellent flame retardancy and antibacterial properties.•The modification is environmentally friendly, simple ...process and easy to prepare.
To improve the fire safety of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and expand its application area, flame retardant and antibacterial PAN composite was prepared by a simple and environmentally friendly method. First, AgNO3 and NaBH4 solutions were added to the microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) aqueous suspension to prepare MCC loaded Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) (MCC/Ag) by in situ reduction. Then, MCC/Ag was mixed in PAN solution to prepare MCC/Ag/PAN composite, which was then phosphorylated by phytic acid (PA) to obtain flame retardant MCC/Ag/PAN composite (FR-MCC/Ag/PAN). FR-MCC/Ag/PAN could achieve self-extinguishing with limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 36.8 %. The thermogravimetric results showed that phosphorus-containing acids accelerated the char-forming ability of FR-MCC/Ag/PAN, and the final char residue was up to 29.76 % in air atmosphere. Thermogravimetric coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that FR-MCC/Ag/PAN formed an expanded and dense char layer after combustion, suppressing the release of low molecular toxic gases. Moreover, FR-MCC/Ag/PAN showed favorable inhibition of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). This work proposed a novel method for developing flame retardant and antibacterial PAN material, which broadened the application field of polyacrylonitrile.
A biocomposite (PN–Fe3O4-PEI) was synthesized via the chemical modification of peanut husk (a low-cost adsorbent) with Fe3O4 particles and polyethyleneimine under benign environmental conditions. The ...modification agents used in this study were observed to overcome the challenges associated with the use pristine peanut husk with a concomitant enhancement in its efficiency as an adsorbent. Results from the characterization studies employed in this study confirmed PN-Fe3O4-PEI to be a crystalline magnetic adsorbent with a mesoporous structure. The adsorption property of the developed material (PN–Fe3O4-PEI) for wastewater treatment was investigated using Chromium (VI), Phosphates (PO43−) and Congo red (CR) as model pollutants. Using the batch method, PN-Fe3O4-PEI exhibited a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 58.4, 13.5 and 71.3 mg g−1 for Cr(VI), PO43− (as P g L−1) and CR, respectively and was dependent on temperature and initial adsorbate concentration. Kinetic studies revealed that the Elovich equation, the pseudo-second order kinetic model and double constant equation well described the uptake of Cr(VI), PO43− and CR onto PN-Fe3O4-PEI, respectively. These results may confirm the uptake of these pollutants to be mainly driven by chemical forces. In addition, PN-Fe3O4-PEI was observed to be efficient for the decontamination of the studied pollutants in real water samples as well as exhibit antibacterial properties towards the growth of S. aureus. These properties of PN-Fe3O4-PEI with its other excellent features such as high stability in solution, good regeneration properties and its facile retrieval from the solution using a magnet promote its suitability for practical wastewater treatment.
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•Polyethyleneimine modified magnetic peanut husk (PN–Fe3O4-PEI) was developed.•PN-Fe3O4-PEI is a crystalline magnetic adsorbent with mesoporous structures.•PN-Fe3O4-PEI is efficient for removal of Cr(VI), CR and PO43− in solution.•Reusability of PN-Fe3O4-PEI promotes its economic advantages.•PN-Fe3O4-PEI exhibits antibacterial property towards the growth of S. aureus.
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•The constructed pulse-modulated plasma brush degraded up to 100% of antibiotics.•Various antibiotics were removed from single- and multi-component solutions.•Oxygen attack and/or ...internal drug fragmentation were induced.•Lower antibiotic resistance was induced by exposure to plasma-treated drug solution.•Pulse-modulated plasma brush had high potential for wastewaters purification.
The presence of antibiotics residuals in the natural environment contributes to development and spread of drug resistance determinants among bacteria, often including clinically significant human pathogens. To tackle with this threat, we constructed a plasma brush, generating pulse-modulated radio-frequency atmospheric pressure glow discharge (pm-rf-APGD), named pm-rf-APGD-type plasma brush, intended for degradation of biologically active pharmaceuticals from both single- and five-component solutions of ciprofloxacin (CFX), enrofloxacin (EFX), ofloxacin (OFX), doxycycline (DXC), and trimethoprim (TMP). The mean antibiotics removal efficiency, achieved mainly due to the action of reactive oxygen species (ROS), was 94.7%. This removal efficiency corresponded to a mean 62.7% decrease in the antibacterial activities. We revealed the transformation products resulting from an oxygen attack and/or internal fragmentation of the treated pharmaceuticals. Based on a laboratory evolution study, bacterial exposure to the pm-rf-APGD-treated drug lead to significantly lower rates of antibiotic resistance development in juxtaposition with a long-term exposure to the sublethal dose of active molecules. Thus, we anticipate high potential of high-throughput, continuous flow, eco-friendly pm-rf-APGD-type plasma brush for routine decontamination processes in the future disposal pipelines of pharmaceuticals wastewaters.
In this study, carvacrol (Car) is first embedded in β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) by the freeze-drying method to form the β-cyclodextrin-Carvacrol inclusion compound (β-CD-Car), and then β-CD-Car liposomes ...(β-CD-Car-Lip) and β-CD-Car liposomes coated with ε-polylysine (ε-PL/β-CD-Car-Lip) with different concentrations (0–20 mg/mL) of β-CD-Car were prepared. The liposomes were characterized, and their physicochemical properties, in vitro release characteristics, and antibacterial activities were analyzed. Results showed that the fabricated liposomes β-CD-Car-Lip and ε-PL/β-CD-Car-Lip were nanosized and spherical, and the latter had a larger particle size (152.21 ± 14.48 to 520.45 ± 30.69 nm) and greater encapsulation efficiency (69.23 ± 0.95 to 73.25 ± 0.65%). The in vitro release study results showed that the rate of release from ε-PL-coated liposomes was much lower than that from uncoated liposomes. Inhibition of bacterial growth experiments revealed that the minimum inhibitory concentration of ε-PL/β-CD-Car-Lip against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (0.025 and 0.05 mg/mL, respectively) was twice as low as that of β-CD-Car-Lip and nearly 12 times lower than that of Car at the same concentration. The ε-polylysine coating increased the diameter, encapsulation efficiency (EE), release time, and antibacterial activity of β-CD-Car-Lip, and the fabricated complex liposome could be applicable as an additive in the design of antibacterial packaging.
•The two novel liposomes β-CD-Car-Lip and ε-PL/β-CD-Car-Lip were constructed.•ε-PL coating effectively improved the slow-release characteristics and antibacterial activity of β-CD-Car-Lip.•ε-PL-coated liposome can be used as a delivery system for improving the efficiency of carvacrol in food products.•ε-PL-coated liposome can be used as a delivery system for novel applications such as active packaging.
Antibiotic resistance is a growing challenge in modern medicine, highlighting the urgent need for alternative antimicrobial strategies. The combination of synergistic sterilization and inhibition of ...bacterial adhesion presents a promising approach for achieving a long-lasting antibacterial effect. Herein, we report the fabrication of thymol-loaded polylactic acid (Thy-PLA) porous fibrous membranes that exhibit both bacteria-killing and bacteria-repellent functions, accomplished through control of microstructure and morphology during the electrospinning process. Notably, we employed the breath figure method, a humidity-induced morphology control technique, which significantly increased the surface roughness of the Thy-PLA fibers and resulted in a nano-porous structure for bacterial repulsion. Additionally, this method facilitated the enhanced release of thymol, thereby enabling efficient sterilization. By simply modifying the morphology, we achieved bacterial reduction rates of up to 99.92 % and 99.87 % for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively, and robust mechanical properties (ultimate tensile stress of 20 MPa and elongation at break of 822.7 %). Furthermore, the fibrous membranes exhibited an impressive oil/water absorption capacity (∼36.7 g/g in 90 s) thanks to the interior and surface porosity. The porous fibrous membranes with synergistic antimicrobial efficiency and tunable mechanical properties demonstrate great potential for diverse applications, particularly in wound dressing and oil/water filtration.
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•Electrospun thymol-loaded PLA fibrous membranes with tailored mechanical and antibacterial properties were fabricated.•The membranes exhibit both bacteria-killing and bacteria-repellent functions.•The nano-porous structures from breath figure enhance surface roughness for bacterial repulsion and promotes sterilization.•Bacterial reduction rates up to 99.92 % and 99.87 % for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were achieved.
Chitosan hydrogels with essential antibacterial properties and biocompatibility have great potential in tissue engineering and regeneration medicine. However, pure chitosan hydrogel could be limited ...by insufficient mechanical properties. In this work, we designed a multi-functional chitosan hydrogel based on the combination of chitosan methacrylate (CTSMA) and sulfhydrated chitosan (CTSSH), which is cross-linked simultaneously by free-radical polymerization reaction and Thiol-ene reaction. The CTSMA/CTSSH (CMS) hydrogels displayed superior tissue adhesive and mechanical properties when compared to pure CTSMA hydrogel. Additionally, the resulting hydrogels exhibited potent antimicrobial effects against both E. coli and S. aureus. Besides, the CMS hydrogels exhibited good biocompatibility as demonstrated by cytotoxicity and cell proliferation experiments using fibroblasts cells (L929) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). In vivo experiment, the repairing effect of hydrogels on full-thickness skin defect model in rats was studied. Histological and immunohistochemical staining results showed that CMS hydrogels promoted angiogenesis, dermal repair and epidermal regeneration. Overall, the study highlights the potential of the CMS hydrogels as a promising biomaterial in wound healing applications.
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Colored cotton fabrics with satisfactory color fastness as well as durable antibacterial and self‐healing superhydrophobic properties are fabricated via a convenient solution‐dipping method that ...involves the sequential deposition of branched poly(ethylenimine) (PEI), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and fluorinated decyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (F‐POSS) on cotton fabrics. The deposited AgNPs with tunable surface plasmon resonance endow the cotton fabrics with abundant color and and antibacterial ability. However, in general, water‐soluble AgNPs cannot be firmly deposited onto cotton fabrics to endure the laundering process. The integration of self‐healing superhydrophobicity into the cotton fabrics by depositing F‐POSS/AgNP/PEI films significantly enhances the color fastness of the AgNPs against laundry and mechanical abrasion, while retaining the antibacterial property of the AgNPs. The F‐POSS/AgNP/PEI‐coated cotton fabric accommodates an abundance of F‐POSS, which autonomically migrates to the cotton surface to repetitively restore its damaged superhydrophobicity. The self‐healing superhydrophobicity of the F‐POSS/AgNPs/PEI‐coated cotton fabric guarantees long‐term protection of the underlying AgNPs against laundry and abrasion and allows the cotton fabric to be cleaned by simple rinsing with water.
A simple, sequential deposition method creates cotton fabrics with tunable colors and durable antibacterial and self‐healing superhydrophobic properties. These cotton fabrics can repeatedly and autonomically restore their superhydrophobicity after damage thanks to a low‐surface‐energy healing agent. The self‐healing superhydrophobicity of the fabric significantly enhances the color fastness of silver nanoparticles while retaining its antibacterial properties.
Modern implants are often based on silicon-doped hydroxyapatite for enhanced biological activity. Such materials still have drawbacks, such as high probability of bacterial infections on their ...surface during surgery. In this work, we obtained germanium-substituted calcium phosphates, which are isostructural to silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite and whitlockite. Additionally, they potentially possess antibacterial properties. We obtained Ge-substituted phosphate composition Ca5GeP2O12 by solid-state, sol-gel, and combustion synthesis. The samples were analyzed using powder X-ray diffraction. Solid-phase synthesis leads to the formation of whitlockite, whereas synthesis in solution leads to the formation of hydroxyapatite. The calculation of the grain size distribution shows that the smallest particles are formed when combustion synthesis is used, and the largest particles are obtained during solid-phase synthesis. This is correlated with the expected influence of stirring and temperature factors on the reaction path.
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•Low-temperature syntheses in solutions are an effective way to obtain metastable Ge-substituted hydroxyapatite.•The combustion method produces the smallest particles.•Ge-substituted hydroxyapatite has potential antibacterial properties.
