Preparation of chitin-CdTe quantum dots films and antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Novel chitin-cadmium-tellurium quantum dot (Chitin-CdTeQD) hybrid films combining chitin and CdTe quantum dots (CdTeQDs) were prepared via a facile aqueous synthesis route at room temperature. Films were characterized by high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (HR-FESEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Antibacterial activity was studied on both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria. Antibacterial properties were investigated with agar diffusion testing assay and with confocal laser scanning microscopic image analysis. Chitin-CdTeQD films exhibited an excellent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Chitin-CdTeQD films might be a desirable antibacterial material for wide range of biomedical applications including wound dressing, burn treatment, drug delivery systems, packaging, ophthalmology, and implants. (C) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.