• Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), an autonomous institute under the DST has found a low-cost metal-free nanomaterial for visible light microbial disinfection which can be an alternative to silver and other metal-based materials.
About:
• Carbon Nitride Quantum Dots (g-CNQDs) is found to be a viable anti bacterial alternative to metal/non-metal semiconductors and expensive silver, thus making it cost-effective.
• These nanomaterials possess enhanced biocidal activity attributed to the larger surface area of g-CNQDs having more reactive sites and optical absorption both in the ultraviolet and visible regions. The g-CNQDs have the ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS).
• The ROS rapidly interact and damage the immediately available biological macromolecules such as lipids present on the cell membrane or envelope and proteins present on the cellular surface, towards inactivation of the microorganism.
• The dependence on visible light is also advantageous over regular ultraviolet mediated disinfection, which requires cautious handling of the UV light-emitting devices.
• This technology will also be simultaneously explored for antiviral efficiency considering its relevance to the current scenario.
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