A small library of copper-based metallenes with superior antibacterial activity

Mater Horiz. 2024 Nov 11;11(22):5564-5577. doi: 10.1039/d4mh01175a.

Abstract

We report the preparation of a small library of copper-based metallenes, such as copperene, brassene, bronzene, cupronickelene and AlCuZn trimetallene, via a cryo-pretreatment assisted liquid phase exfoliation method. To the best of our knowledge, these nanosheets may represent a new category of metallenes. Benefiting from mixed-valence copper-induced oxidative stress and cleavage effects of layered structures, the obtained metallenes could efficiently eliminate drug-resistant bacteria even at a concentration as low as 1 μg mL-1. Due to the alloy engineering-induced change in the release rate of metal ions, the CuZn metallene exhibited a much better antibacterial ability than the other metallenes and three clinical antibiotics. We believe this work not only expands the category of emerging 2D metallenes, but also proposes a strategy combining 2D and alloy engineering to improve the antibacterial properties of copper-based materials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alloys / chemistry
  • Alloys / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Copper* / chemistry
  • Copper* / pharmacology
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests*

Substances

  • Copper
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Alloys