RESUMO
Based on the promising development of carbon dots in antibacterial applications, Girard's reagent T-based carbon dots (GRT-CDs) with a mean size of 2.41 nm and excellent antibacterial performance were synthesized through a one-step method. The minimum inhibitory concentration ofGRT-CDswas 200 µg ml-1for bothEscherichia coli (E. coli)andStaphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The bacterial growth curves showed that the inhibitory effect ofGRT-CDson bacterial multiplication was strongly concentration-dependent. The bactericidal effect ofGRT-CDswas further demonstrated by the large differences in bacterial fluorescence staining plots. Zeta potential measurements and scanning electron microscope images indicated thatGRT-CDsformed complexes with bacteria, which affected the normal physiological activities of bacteria, causing their rupture and death. In addition,GRT-CDsefficiently inhibited biofilm formation and removed mature biofilms. Furthermore,GRT-CDsalso exhibited a remarkable inhibitory activity on MRSA. Cytotoxicity experiments showed thatGRT-CDshad good cytocompatibility and even promoted cell proliferation at low concentrations. Therefore, theGRT-CDsobtained from a one-precursor and one-pot synthesis show good prospects for antibacterial applications.
