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Interactions of Microorganisms with Polymer Nanocomposite Surfaces Containing Oxidized Carbon Nanotubes.
- Source :
-
Environmental Science & Technology . 5/5/2015, Vol. 49 Issue 9, p5484-5492. 9p. - Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- In many environmental scenarios, the fete and impact of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) that contain carbon nanotubes (CNT/PNCs) will be influenced by their interactions with microorganisms, with implications for antimicrobial properties and the long-term persistence of PNCs. Using oxidized single-wall (OSWCNTs) and multi-wall CNTs (O-MWCNTs), we explored the influence that CNT loading (mass fraction ⩽0.1%-10%) and type have on the initial interactions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with OCNT/ poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) nanocomposites containing well-dispersed O-CNTs. LIVE/DEAD staining revealed that, despite oxidation, the indusion of O-SWCNTs or O-MWCNTs caused PNC surfaces to exhibit antimicrobial properties. The fraction of living cells deposited on both O-SWCNT and O-MWCNT/PNC surfaces decreased exponentially with increasing CNT loading, with O-SWCNTs being approximately three times more cytotoxic on a % w/w basis. Although not every contact event between attached microorganisms and CNTs led to cell death, the cytotoxidty of the CNT/PNC surfaces scaled with the total contact area that existed between the microorganisms and CNTs. However, because the antimicrobial properties of CNT/PNC surfaces require direct CNT-microbe contact, dead cells were able to shield living cells from the cytotoxic effects of CNTs, allowing biofilm formation to occur on CNT/PNCs exposed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa for longer time periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0013936X
- Volume :
- 49
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Environmental Science & Technology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 102842247
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5b00084