Issue 46, 2023

Post-functionalization of sulfur quantum dots and their aggregation-dependent antibacterial activity

Abstract

Sulfur quantum dots (SQDs) have emerged as an intriguing class of luminescent nanomaterial due to their exceptional physiochemical and optoelectronic properties. However, their biomedical application is still in its infancy due to the limited scope of their surface functionalization. Herein, we explored the surface functionalization of SQDs through different thiol ligands with tuneable functionality and tested their antibacterial efficacy. Notably, very high antibacterial activity of functionalized SQDs (10–25 ng ml−1) was noted, which is 105 times higher compared to that of nonfunctionalized SQDs. Moreover, a rare phenomenon of the reverse trend of antibacterial activity through surface modification was observed, with increasing surface hydrophobicity of various nanomaterials as the antibacterial activity increased. However, we also noted that as the surface hydrophobicity increased, the SQDs tended to exhibit a propensity for aggregation, which consequently decreased their antibacterial efficacy. This identical pattern was also evident in in vivo assessments. Overall, this study illuminates the importance of surface modifications of SQDs and the role of surface hydrophobicity in the development of antibacterial agents.

Graphical abstract: Post-functionalization of sulfur quantum dots and their aggregation-dependent antibacterial activity

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
26 Aug 2023
Accepted
27 Oct 2023
First published
31 Oct 2023

Nanoscale, 2023,15, 18624-18638

Post-functionalization of sulfur quantum dots and their aggregation-dependent antibacterial activity

A. Mondal, S. Pandit, J. Sahoo, Y. Subramaniam and M. De, Nanoscale, 2023, 15, 18624 DOI: 10.1039/D3NR04287A

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