Preparation and antibacterial properties of an activated carbon sphere–quaternary phosphonium salt composite

Synthesis and activation of nanosized colloidal carbon spheres (CS) for adsorption of a quaternary phosphonium salt as a new antibacterial material is reported. CS (400–500 nm in diameter) were synthesized via simple hydrothermal treatment of glucose solution. The surface of nonporous CS after being activated by steam possessed a high surface area (2325 m2 g−1). The activated CS (ACS) exhibited a high adsorption capacity for the quaternary phosphonium salt (QPS) and have demonstrated excellent antibacterial properties. The QPS on ACS were more stable than the QPS itself, resulting in long-term antibacterial effects. The excellent adsorption performance and reusability of the steam activated CS reported here could represent a new type of low-cost and efficient adsorbent nanomaterial for antibacterial materials.