Abstract
Nanotechnology has great potential in water purification. However, the limitations such as aggregation and toxicity of nanomaterials have blocked their practical application. In this work, a novel copper nanoparticles-decorated graphene sponge (Cu-GS) was synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method. Cu-GS consisting of three-dimensional (3D) porous graphene network and well-dispersed Cu nanoparticles exhibited high antibacterial efficiency against Esherichia coli when used as a bactericidal filter. The morphological changes determined by scanning electron microscope and fluorescence images measured by flow cytometry confirmed the involvement of membrane damage induced by Cu-GS in their antibacterial process. The oxidative ability of Cu-GS and intercellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also determined to elucidate the possible antibacterial mechanism of Cu-GS. Moreover, the concentration of released copper ions from Cu-GS was far below the drinking water standard, and the copper ions also have an effect on the antibacterial activity of Cu-GS. Results suggested that Cu-GS as a novel bactericidal filter possessed a potential application of water disinfection.
•Cu-GS consisting of 3D porous graphene and well-dispersed Cu NPs was prepared.•Cu-GS as a novel bactericidal filter exhibited high antibacterial activity.•Cu-GS leading to morphological changes of bacterial cells.•Increased intracellular ROS has been induced by Cu-GS composite.•Released copper ions from Cu-GS were far below the US-EPA drinking water standard.