Bio-Conjugated CNT-Bridged 3D Porous Graphene Oxide Membrane for Highly Efficient Disinfection of Pathogenic Bacteria and Removal of Toxic Metals from Water

Abstract

More than a billion people lack access to safe drinking water that is free from pathogenic bacteria and toxic metals. The World Health Organization estimates several million people, mostly children, die every year due to the lack of good quality water. Driven by this need, we report the development of PGLa antimicrobial peptide and glutathione conjugated carbon nanotube (CNT) bridged three-dimensional (3D) porous graphene oxide membrane, which can be used for highly efficient disinfection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria and removal of As(III), As(V), and Pb(II) from water. Reported results demonstrate that versatile membrane has the capability to capture and completely disinfect pathogenic pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 bacteria from water. Experimentally observed disinfection data indicate that the PGLa attached membrane can dramatically enhance the possibility of destroying pathogenic E. coli bacteria via synergistic mechanism. Reported results show that glutathione attached CNT-bridged 3D graphene oxide membrane can be used to remove As(III), As(V), and Pb(II) from water sample at 10 ppm level. Our data demonstrated that PGLa and glutathione attached membrane has the capability for high efficient removal of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria, As(III), As(V), and Pb(II) simultaneously from Mississippi River water.

Applications and toxicity of graphene family nanomaterials and their composites

“… 79 – 81 Nafion–graphene nanocomposite solution in combination with an in situ plated mercury film electrode was used as a highly sensitive electrochemical platform for the determination of Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), and Cu(II) in 0.1 M acetate buffer (pH 4.6) by square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry. 82 Viraka Nellore et al 83 reported the development of PGLa antimicrobial peptide and glutathione-conjugated CNT-bridged 3DGO membrane, which can be used for removal of As(III), As(V), and Pb(II) from water. GO sheets were used in aqueous samples for a fast and efficient adsorption of Pb(II), Cd(II), Bi(III), and Sb(III) owing to its hydrophilic character and the electrostatic repulsion among the GO sheets.…”

“…Peptide-conjugated GO membrane has been found to be efficient in the removal and effective killing of multiple drug-resistant bacteria. 152 Similarly, Viraka Nellore et al 83 reported the development of PGLa antimicrobial peptide and glutathione-conjugated CNT-bridged 3DGO membrane, which can be used for efficient disinfection of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. Disinfection data indicated that the PGLa- attached membrane enhances the possibility of destroying pathogenic E. coli via synergistic mechanism.…”

Activated Carbon, Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene: Materials and Composites for Advanced Water Purification

“…One study however has investigated the simultaneous adsorption of heavy metals and inactivation of bacteria using a multi-component composite material of GO, CNTs and the antimicrobial peptide PGLa. Results indicated a near 100% removal of bacteria and over 95% removal of As(III) and Pb(II) [192]. The adsorption performance of the above mentioned graphene composite materials are summarized in Table 4.…”

Recent Advances in the Disinfection of Water Using Nanoscale Antimicrobial Materials

“…PGLa is an α‐helical peptide of 21 amino acids (GMASKAGAIAGKIAKVALKAL‐NH 2 ), which can interact with bacteria's lipid membranes and destroy them. The synergistic effect of the PGLa antimicrobial peptide and GO membrane contributed to the improved disinfection activity . The wrinkled surfaces of the GO nanosheets are favorable for the immobilization of various nanomaterials, including TiO 2 ,[28b] Ag,136 Ag–CoFe 2 O 4 , and Ag 3 PO 4 .…”

“…B) Diagrammatic sketch of the synthesis of a CNT‐bridged 3D graphene oxide versatile membrane. Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2015, American Chemical Society.…”