Cationic engineered nanodiamonds for efficient antibacterial surface with strong wear resistance

The spread of diseases caused by bacterial adhesion and immobilization in public places constitutes a serious threat to public health. Prevention of bacteria spread by the construction of an antibacterial surface takes precedence over post-infection treatment. Herein, we demonstrate an effective antibacterial surface with strong wear resistance by constructing cationic engineered nanodiamonds (C-NDs). The C-NDs with positive surface potentials interact effectively with bacteria through electrostatic interactions, where the C-NDs act on the phospholipid bilayer and lead to bacterial membrane collapse and rupture through hydrogen bonding and residual surface oxygen-containing reactive groups. In this case, bactericidal rate of 99.99% and bacterial biofilm inhibition rate of more than 80% can be achieved with the C-NDs concentration of 1 mg/mL. In addition, the C-NDs show outstanding antibacterial stability, retaining over 87% of the antibacterial effect after stimulation by adverse environments of heat, acid, and external abrasion. Therefore, an antibacterial surface with high wear resistance obtained by integrating C-NDs with commercial plastics has been demonstrated. The antibacterial surface with a mass fraction of 1 wt.% C-NDs improved abrasion resistance by 3981 times, with 99% killing of adherent bacteria. This work provides an effective strategy for highly efficient antibacterial wear-resistant surface, showing great practical applications in public health environments.