1 research outputs found
Antibacterial Activity of Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub><i>x</i></sub> MXene
MXenes are a family
of atomically thin, two-dimensional (2D) transition
metal carbides and carbonitrides with many attractive properties.
Two-dimensional Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub><i>x</i></sub> (MXene) has been recently explored for applications in water
desalination/purification membranes. A major success indicator for
any water treatment membrane is the resistance to biofouling. To validate
this and to understand better the health and environmental impacts
of the new 2D carbides, we investigated the antibacterial properties
of single- and few-layer Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub><i>x</i></sub> MXene flakes in colloidal solution. The antibacterial
properties of Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub><i>x</i></sub> were tested against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) by using bacterial growth curves based on optical densities (OD)
and colonies growth on agar nutritive plates. Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub><i>x</i></sub> shows a higher antibacterial
efficiency toward both Gram-negative E. coli and Gram-positive B. subtilis compared
with graphene oxide (GO), which has been widely reported as an antibacterial
agent. Concentration dependent antibacterial activity was observed
and more than 98% bacterial cell viability loss was found at 200 μg/mL
Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub><i>x</i></sub> for both
bacterial cells within 4 h of exposure, as confirmed by colony forming
unit (CFU) and regrowth curve. Antibacterial mechanism investigation
by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy
(TEM) coupled with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay indicated
the damage to the cell membrane, which resulted in release of cytoplasmic
materials from the bacterial cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)
dependent and independent stress induction by Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub><i>x</i></sub> was investigated in two separate
abiotic assays. MXenes are expected to be resistant to biofouling
and offer bactericidal properties