549: Functional carbon-based nanohybrids: Synthesis, characterization and application

Functional carbon-based nanohybrids: Synthesis, characterization and application

I. Tournis¹, K.M. Lyra¹, K.N. Panagiotaki¹, M. Subrati¹, K. Spyrou,² A. Papavasiliou¹, E. Sakellis³, and Z. Sideratou¹

¹Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Center for Scientific Research ‘Demokritos’, 15310 Aghia Paraskevi, Attica, Greece

²Department of Material Science & Engineering, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece

³Physics Department, Condensed Matter Physics Section, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15784 Zografos, Athens, Greece

Nanostructured carbon-based nanomaterials modified with functional polymers bearing suitable positively charged groups, such as guanidine groups, quaternary ammonium groups, etc., are attracting the researchers’ interest due to their improved properties including antibacterial ones [1-3]. Carbon nanodisks represent an interesting alternative to bulk graphite, produced through the so-called pyrolytic Kværner Carbon Black & H2 (CB&H) process [4]. In this study, hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) of two different molecular weights (i.e. 1300 Da and 5000 Da) functionalized with decyl-triphenylphosphonium groups were prepared and subsequently interacted through both covalent and non-covalent bonds with the acid-treated carbon nanodisks (oxCNDs), affording the nanohybrids oxCNDs@PEI(1300)-TPP(C10) and oxCNDs@PEI(5000)-TPP(C10) with approximately 20-24% polymer loadings. These nanohybrids were characterized by various physicochemical techniques to confirm their chemical structure. Furthermore, their antibacterial activity was evaluated against Gram (-) Escherichia coli and Gram (+) Staphylococcus Aureus. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that all nanohybrids exhibit improved antibacterial properties compared to oxCNDs, especially against Gram (+) S. aureus bacteria, with oxCND@PEI(1300)-TPP(C10) being more efficient. Finally, their cytotoxicity was evaluated against mammalian cells and it was found that the hybrid materials do not exhibit any significant toxicity. These findings indicate that these nanohybrids have great potential to be used as safe and efficient antibacterial agents in various applications, including those in the disinfection industry.

Funding

This work funded funded by the European Union, and granted by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) by the European Union Horizon Europe Programme for Research and Innovation under the Grant Agreement N° 101091534 – KNOWSKITE-X.

References

[1] Lyra, K.-M.; Tournis, I.; Subrati, M.; Spyrou, K.; Papavasiliou, A.; Athanasekou, C.; Papageorgiou, S.; Sakellis, E.; Karakassides, M.A.; Sideratou, Z.; Carbon Nanodisks Decorated with Guanidinylated Hyperbranched Polyethyleneimine Derivatives as Efficient Antibacterial Agents. Nanomaterials 2024, 14(8), 677. DOI: 10.3390/nano14080677

[2] Subrati, M.; Lyra, K.M.; Spyrou, K.; Toliou, I.M.; Petrou, G.; Manganiaris, P.; Papavasiliou, A.; Sakellis, E.; Athanasekou, C.P.; Glisenti, A.; Sideratou, Z.; Katsaros, F. K.; Valorization of Industrial Waste Graphite Fines into Graphene Oxide-based Nanohybrids. ChemPlusChem, 2024, e202400692. DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202400692

[3] Heliopoulos, N. S., Kythreoti, G., Lyra, K. M., Panagiotaki, K. N., Papavasiliou, A., Sakellis, E., Papageorgiou, S., Kouloumpis, A., Gournis, D., Katsaros, F.K., Stamatakis, K., Sideratou, Z.; Cytotoxicity Effects of Water-Soluble Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Decorated with Quaternized Hyperbranched Poly(ethyleneimine) Derivatives on Autotrophic and Heterotrophic Gram-Negative Bacteria. Pharmaceuticals, 2020, 13(10), 293. DOI: 10.3390/ph13100293

[4] Lynum, S.; Hugdahl, J.; Hox, K.; Hildrum, R.; Nordvik, M. Micro-domain Graphitic Materials and Method for Producing the Same (Patent), EP 1017622 A1. U.S. Patent 7,462,343, 9 December 2008.