Hydrophobic carbon quantum dots-doped 3D printed composite for antibacterial applications
Mohamed Shaalan , Mária Kováčová, Zdenko Špitalský Polymer Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovakia
Hydrophobic carbon quantum dots (hCQDs) are zero-dimensional redox-active materials with high chemical stability and low cost of production. They release singlet oxygen only upon activation by specific visible blue light wavelength which allows controllable antibacterial action and minimize the chances for emerging of bacterial resistance. In this study we prepared and characterized polymer composites for 3D printing to be applied as antibacterial materials. The composites based on thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) were prepared by the solution swelling method. First, a classic filament of pure TPE for 3D printing was made, and then it was immersed in a solution of hCQDs. The properties of 3D prints from the modified filament were compared with a print from pure TPE. The antibacterial activity was confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance method and bacterial culture on plate count agar. The materials were tested as antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli after exposure to blue LED for one hour. Thermal stability and mechanical properties were verified for pure TPE and hCQDs modified. Antibacterial materials produced by the 3D printing method represent a perspective for the future, especially in the field of personalized medicine, as well as in products for other industries. Acknowledgment: The authors are grateful for the financial support of Grant VEGA 2/0051/20 from The Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic. This project has received funding from the Horizon Europe Framework Programme (grant agreement number 101058554), from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), and from the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) (grant number 10042534 & grant number 10055606) as part of the Horizon Europe [HORIZON-CL4-2021-RESILIENCE-01]. This research was also supported by the APVV agency - from a bilateral project SK-SRB-21-0020.
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© The Author(s), 2023
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