Figure 8
Schematic representation regarding the four prominent ways of antimicrobial potential of Co-doped TiO2 mesocrystals, where (1) Co-doped TiO2 mesocrystals adhere to the bacterial cell surface and results in membrane damage and altered transport activity; (2) Co-doped TiO2 mesocrystals create and increase the ROS leading to cell damage, (3) Co-doped TiO2 mesocrystals block the ions transport from and to the bacterial cell, and (4) Co-doped TiO2 mesocrystals penetrate inside the bacterial cells and interact with cellular organelles and biomolecules, and thereby, affect respective cellular machinery, and modulate the cellular signal system and causing cell death. Co-doped TiO2 mesocrystals may serve as a vehicle to effectively-deliver Co ions to the bacterial cytoplasm and membrane, where proton motive force would decrease the pH to be less than 3.0 and therefore improve the release of Co ions.
