Fabrication of Ti3C2Tx/ZnONPs composite with high antibacterial and antibiofilm activity

Microbial contamination poses a serious threat to human health and socioeconomics, and is a major problem for global public health. Herein, we fabricated Ti 3 C 2 T x /ZnONPs composite by using Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation broth to reduce ZnONPs in situ on few-layer Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene after etching and delamination treatment. Antibacterial experiments showed that the Ti 3 C 2 T x /ZnONPs composite exhibited significant antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against both Gram-negative E. coli and Gram-positive S. aureus . Moreover, the exploration of the antibacterial mechanisms demonstrated that Ti 3 C 2 T x /ZnONPs could inhibit and kill bacteria by disrupting bacterial cell wall/membrane, causing leakage of intracellular contents, interfering with metabolism and inducing oxidative stress. The synergistic effect of multiple antibacterial mechanisms can effectively prevent the evolution of resistance. Overall, as a novel inorganic antibacterial material, Ti 3 C 2 T x /ZnONPs composite holds a promising application in the antimicrobial field.