Issue 14, 2022

Zwitterionic peptide-functionalized highly dispersed carbon nanotubes for efficient wastewater treatment

Abstract

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have displayed great potential as catalyst carriers due to their nanoscale structure and large specific surface area. However, their hydrophobicity and poor dispersibility in water restrict their applications in aqueous environments. Herein, the dispersibility of MWCNTs was significantly enhanced with a chimeric protein MPKE which consisted of a zwitterionic peptide unit and a mussel adhesive protein unit. The MPKE could be easily attached to MWCNTs (MPKE-MWCNTs) by a simple stirring process due to the versatile adhesion ability of mussel adhesive unit. As expected, the MPKE-MWCNTs displayed outstanding dispersibility in water (>7 months), as well as in alkaline solutions (pH = 12) and organic solvents (DMSO and ethanol) due to the hydrophilicity of the zwitterionic peptide unit. Moreover, the MPKE-MWCNTs were used as silver nanoparticle carriers for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol in wastewater, with the normalized rate constant knor up to 32.9 s−1 mmol−1. Meanwhile, they also exhibited excellent biocompatibility and antibacterial activity, which were favorable for wastewater treatment. This work provides a facile strategy for MWCNT modification, functionalization and applications in aqueous environments.

Graphical abstract: Zwitterionic peptide-functionalized highly dispersed carbon nanotubes for efficient wastewater treatment

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
26 Okt. 2021
Accepted
30 Dec. 2021
First published
31 Dec. 2021

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2022,10, 2661-2669

Zwitterionic peptide-functionalized highly dispersed carbon nanotubes for efficient wastewater treatment

J. Huang, X. Sui, H. Qi, X. Lan, S. Liu and L. Zhang, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2022, 10, 2661 DOI: 10.1039/D1TB02348A

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