Antimicrobial Properties of Carbon Nanomaterials

Carbon nanomaterials encompass a diverse family of nanoscale structures—including fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, graphene and its derivatives, and diamond-like carbon—that exhibit intrinsic antimicrobial activity. Their efficacy arises from a combination of physical and chemical mechanisms: sharp edges and high aspect‐ratio surfaces can pierce or wrap microbial membranes, while surface defects and electronic properties facilitate electron transfer and generation of oxidative species. Surface functionalisation, whether covalent or non-covalent, further modulates biocompatibility, dispersibility and selective toxicity towards pathogens. Hybrid assemblies with metallic nanoparticles or polymer matrices amplify these effects through synergistic interactions. Such versatility positions carbon nanomaterials as promising agents for next-generation antimicrobial coatings, wound dressings, water treatment membranes and medical device surfaces, addressing the escalating challenge of antibiotic resistance while offering tunable performance and scalable production routes.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Antimicrobial Properties of Carbon Nanomaterials publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in antimicrobial properties of carbon nanomaterials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs): Cylindrical carbon structures characterised by high aspect ratio and exceptional mechanical and electrical properties.

Graphene oxide (GO): Oxidised graphene sheets containing oxygenated functional groups that confer hydrophilicity and facilitate further chemical modification.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive molecules derived from oxygen that induce oxidative damage to microbial membranes, proteins and nucleic acids.

Functionalisation: Chemical or non-covalent attachment of molecules to a nanomaterial’s surface to tailor solubility, biocompatibility and antimicrobial potency.

Nanocomposite: A hybrid material combining carbon nanomaterials with metals, oxides or polymers to achieve synergistic enhancements in functionality.

References

1. Review on the Antimicrobial Properties of Carbon Nanostructures. Materials (2017).
2. Hybrid Materials Based on Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Nanoparticles with Antimicrobial Properties. Nanomaterials (2021).
3. Elucidation of Antimicrobial Activity of Non-Covalently Dispersed Carbon Nanotubes. Materials (2020).
4. State of the Art in the Antibacterial and Antiviral Applications of Carbon-Based Polymeric Nanocomposites. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2021).