Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) possess unique size and shape dependent chemical and physical properties. As a result of their properties, ENMs have been effective in several important applications including catalysis, sensor design, photonics, electronics, medicine, and the environmental remediation of toxic pollutants. Recently, our group has investigated the effect of various metallic and semiconductor nanomaterials, with well-defined size and shape, on the various strains of microbial pathogens. We have also investigated the effects of small molecules anchored on the surface of nanoparticles and their influence on the decontamination of microbial pathogens.  This presentation will demonstrate our ability to control of the particle size and shape in one-step synthetic procedures. Monodisperse metallic nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic, microscopic and x-ray techniques. The chemical composition, surface reactivity, solubility, and aggregation tendency of ENMs were studied under various environmental conditions. We will also discuss how ENMs interact with various components in the environment with an emphasis of their interaction with Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The results provide insights on design strategies for new materials to safely decontaminate microbial pathogens.

Effctive decontamination of microbial pathogens via hybrid nanoscale materials

247th National Meeting (2014)

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