Antibacterial nanomaterials for environmental and consumer product applications

The design and synthesis of antibacterial nanomaterials (NM) with improved efficiency, stability, fouling resistance, biocompatibility and recyclability is a fast-developing field. Here we review the recent research directions in the antibacterial NM development for potential applications in the environmental and consumer products, with the focus on the antibacterial mechanisms and novel material synthesis approaches. We identify the major application areas for antibacterial NMs and the types of NMs under research and already in use in the consumer products. The main synthetic approaches for preparation of antibacterial NMs range from surfaces coated with vertically aligned 2D NMs, photocatalytic membranes with extended photoactivation range and composite materials for solar-to-thermal energy conversion to layered nanocomposites and metal-organic frameworks for controlled release of antibacterial compounds. The strategies for increasing antibacterial efficiency of NMs include contact-mediated damage via the edges of 2D NMs, efficient generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by photocatalytic composite NMs with or without concurrent mechanical entrapment of bacteria, photothermal damage, and synergistic action of photocatalysts and metal ion release. For the research in antibacterial NM synthesis to successfully progress into the product development phase it is crucial to incorporate NM safety assessment into all steps of the research and development process. Based on the synthesis approaches and antibacterial mechanisms of NMs reviewed herein we discuss considerations for safe-by-design strategies for antibacterial NMs, crucial for the sustainable development of nano-enabled products in the environmental and consumer applications.