Zn or O? An Atomic Level Comparison on Antibacterial Activities of Zinc Oxides

• Published in: Chemistry : a European journal 2016-06, Vol.22 (24), p.8053-8058
• Main Authors: Yu, Fen, Fang, Xuan, Jia, Huimin, Liu, Miaoxing, Shi, Xiaotong, Xue, Chaowen, Chen, Tingtao, Wei, Zhipeng, Fang, Fang, Zhu, Hui, Xin, Hongbo, Feng, Jing, Wang, Xiaolei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3D printing; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; antibacterial activity; Antibacterial properties; Atomic layer deposition; atomic level studies; Bacteria; Chemistry; Deoxyribonucleic acid; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli - chemistry; Escherichia coli - drug effects; Escherichia coli - radiation effects; Hydrogen Peroxide - chemistry; Hydrogen Peroxide - metabolism; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Oxygen - chemistry; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Rhodamines - chemistry; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus aureus - chemistry; Staphylococcus aureus - drug effects; Staphylococcus aureus - radiation effects; Strategy; Surface properties; Ultraviolet Rays; Zinc; Zinc - chemistry; Zinc oxide; Zinc Oxide - chemistry; Zinc Oxide - pharmacology; Zinc oxides
• ISSN: 0947-6539; 1521-3765
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201601018

For the first time, the influence of different types of atoms (Zn and O) on the antibacterial activities of nanosized ZnO was quantitatively evaluated with the aid of a 3D‐printing‐manufactured evaluation system. Two different outermost atomic layers were manufactured separately by using an ALD (atomic layer deposition) method. Interestingly, we found that each outermost atomic layer exhibited certain differences against gram‐positive or gram‐negative bacterial species. Zinc atoms as outermost layer (ZnO−Zn) showed a more pronounced antibacterial effect towards gram‐negative E. coli (Escherichia coli), whereas oxygen atoms (ZnO−O) showed a stronger antibacterial activity against gram‐positive S. aureus (Staphylococcus aureus). A possible antibacterial mechanism has been comprehensively discussed from different perspectives, including Zn2+ concentrations, oxygen vacancies, photocatalytic activities and the DNA structural characteristics of different bacterial species. The influence of the two different outermost atomic layers of ZnO (“Zn” or “O”) on the antibacterial activities was quantitatively evaluated for the first time by using an optimized 3D printing strategy. Some interesting discovery was noticed and the mechanism is systematically discussed from material surface properties to bacterial DNA characteristics.