Antibiofouling Activity of Graphene Materials and Graphene-Based Antimicrobial Coatings

Abstract

Microbial adhesion and biofilm formation is a common, nondesirable phenomenon at any living or nonliving material surface in contact with microbial species. Despite the enormous efforts made so far, the protection of material surfaces against microbial adhesion and biofilm formation remains a significant challenge. Deposition of antimicrobial coatings is one approach to mitigate the problem. Examples of such are those based on heparin, cationic polymers, antimicrobial peptides, drug-delivering systems, and other coatings, each one with its advantages and shortcomings. The increasing microbial resistance to the conventional antimicrobial treatments leads to an increasing necessity for new antimicrobial agents, among which is a variety of carbon nanomaterials. The current review paper presents the last 5 years’ progress in the development of graphene antimicrobial materials and graphene-based antimicrobial coatings that are among the most studied. Brief information about the significance of the biofouling, as well as the general mode of development and composition of microbial biofilms, are included. Preparation, antibacterial activity, and bactericidal mechanisms of new graphene materials, deposition techniques, characterization, and parameters influencing the biological activity of graphene-based coatings are focused upon. It is expected that this review will raise some ideas for perfecting the composition, structure, antimicrobial activity, and deposition techniques of graphene materials and coatings in order to provide better antimicrobial protection of medical devices.

Performance of Graphene/Polydimethylsiloxane Surfaces against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa Single- and Dual-Species Biofilms

“…This nanomaterial, in its pure form, is characterized by a single-layer sheet of sp 2 -hybridized carbon atoms with a honeycomb structure [ 20 ], and provides multiple advantages: it is easily renewable, easy to prepare and functionalize, and possesses a large surface area, high stability in the physiological environment, and unique mechanical strength [ 21 ]. Due to their outstanding antimicrobial activity, graphene-based materials (e.g., graphene nanoplatelets, graphene nanosheets, graphene oxide, and reduced graphene oxide) have been extensively studied for application as coatings/surfaces for biomedical devices [ 22 , 23 ]. However, it is worth noting the use of functionalized graphene-based materials for other applications, including biosensing and bioimaging, gene therapy, tissue engineering, and drug delivery [ 23 , 24 ].…”

“…Due to their outstanding antimicrobial activity, graphene-based materials (e.g., graphene nanoplatelets, graphene nanosheets, graphene oxide, and reduced graphene oxide) have been extensively studied for application as coatings/surfaces for biomedical devices [ 22 , 23 ]. However, it is worth noting the use of functionalized graphene-based materials for other applications, including biosensing and bioimaging, gene therapy, tissue engineering, and drug delivery [ 23 , 24 ]. For instance, the use of graphene-based composites as a support to release antimicrobial agents for wound dressing applications has been described [ 25 , 26 ].…”

“…The antimicrobial and anti-adhesive activity of graphene and its derivatives against implant-associated pathogens have been widely addressed, with significant inhibition of biofilm formation or even reduction of mature biofilms [ 23 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Despite the interesting results using graphene-based surfaces to prevent bacterial biofilm formation, the use of non-functionalized graphene as a coating for IMDs is still poorly explored and documented [ 22 , 23 , 29 ].…”

“…The antimicrobial and anti-adhesive activity of graphene and its derivatives against implant-associated pathogens have been widely addressed, with significant inhibition of biofilm formation or even reduction of mature biofilms [ 23 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Despite the interesting results using graphene-based surfaces to prevent bacterial biofilm formation, the use of non-functionalized graphene as a coating for IMDs is still poorly explored and documented [ 22 , 23 , 29 ]. In addition, most of the studies reporting the use of pristine graphene tend to combine it with other materials with expected synergetic effects, such as silver nanoparticles [ 33 , 34 ], cadmium sulfide [ 35 ], titanium [ 36 ], magnetite [ 37 ], or chitosan [ 32 ], hindering the in-depth understanding of the effective antibiofilm performance of graphene alone.…”

Bactericidal and Antiviral Bionic Metalized Nanocoatings

“…Nowadays, developments of anti-infective nanocoatings include application of Ag, Zn, and Cu ions or nanoparticles; incorporation of photosensitizers, such as TiO 2 or rose bengal; coating by polyelectrolytes and peptides; incorporation of antibiotics or graphene; micro-nano-structuring of metals or polymers. However, these approaches have clear limitations related to the issues, such as cytotoxicity, complexity of application, or insufficient efficiency [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”