es5b05734_si_001.pdf (904.61 kB)
Shape-Dependent Surface Reactivity and Antimicrobial Activity of Nano-Cupric Oxide
journal contribution
posted on 2016-03-04, 00:00 authored by Leanne M. Gilbertson, Eva M. Albalghiti, Zachary S. Fishman, François Perreault, Charlie Corredor, Jonathan D. Posner, Menachem Elimelech, Lisa D. Pfefferle, Julie
B. ZimmermanShape
of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) can be used as a design
handle to achieve controlled manipulation of physicochemical properties.
This tailored material property approach necessitates the establishment
of relationships between specific ENM properties that result from
such manipulations (e.g., surface area, reactivity, or charge) and
the observed trend in behavior, from both a functional performance
and hazard perspective. In this study, these structure–property-function
(SPF) and structure–property-hazard (SPH) relationships are
established for nano-cupric oxide (n-CuO) as a function of shape,
including nanospheres and nanosheets. In addition to comparing these
shapes at the nanoscale, bulk CuO is studied to compare across length
scales. The results from comprehensive material characterization revealed
correlations between CuO surface reactivity and bacterial toxicity
with CuO nanosheets having the highest surface reactivity, electrochemical
activity, and antimicrobial activity. While less active than the nanosheets,
CuO nanoparticles (sphere-like shape) demonstrated enhanced reactivity
compared to the bulk CuO. This is in agreement with previous studies
investigating differences across length-scales. To elucidate the underlying
mechanisms of action to further explain the shape-dependent behavior,
kinetic models applied to the toxicity data. In addition to revealing
different CuO material kinetics, trends in observed response cannot
be explained by surface area alone. The compiled results contribute
to further elucidate pathways toward controlled design of ENMs.