Mechanistic Exploration of Visible Light-Activated Carbon/TiO2 Hybrid Dots Damaging Bacterial Cells

The carbon/TiO2 hybrid dots (C/TiO2-Dots) are structurally TiO2 nanoparticles (in the order of 25 nm in diameter from commercially available colloidal samples) surface-attached by nanoscale carbon domains with organic moieties, thus equivalent to hybrids individual each decorated many dots. These exposure visible light exhibit potent antibacterial properties, similar those found neat same activation. results use established scavengers for reactive oxygen species (ROS) “quench” activities, an indication shared mechanistic origins, also similar. findings experiments on probing biological consequences action suggest that light-activated C/TiO2-Dots cause significant damage bacterial cell membrane, resulting higher permeability, associated oxidative stress leading lipid peroxidation, inhibiting growth. induced could be observed more directly transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging. Opportunities further development platform a variety applications discussed.