Carbon-based two-dimensional (2D) materials: a next generation biocidal agent

Two-dimensional materials (2D-Ms) such as graphene, carbon nitride (C3N4), and MXene have attracted significant attention due to their excellent physico-chemical properties, including high surface area-to-volume ratio, biocompatibility, mechanical strength, high conductivity, etc. There has been growing interest in utilizing 2D-Ms for antibacterial applications including photo-antibacterial activity. The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has made new antibiotic materials imperative, and 2D-Ms have shown promise in this area. One of the main advantages of 2D-Ms for antibacterial applications is their high surface area-to-volume ratio, which increases contact between the material and bacteria, leading to more effective antibacterial properties. Additionally, some carbon-based 2D-Ms (CB-2D-Ms) have been shown to have intrinsic antibacterial properties, such as graphene and its derivatives, g-C3N4, MXene, etc., as backbone carbon provides mechanical support, which can be further enhanced by functionalization with biocidal agents (metals/metal oxides, surface functional groups, and polymers). This mini-review highlights the latest developments in CB-2D-Ms, such as graphene and its derivatives, C3N4, MXenes, etc., as antibiotic materials to control bacterial infection. Herein, we correlate the exclusive range of 2D properties of CB-2D-Ms with their antimicrobial actions. Lastly, challenges and future perspectives in this area of CB-2D-Ms are also described. 2D-Ms such as graphene, C3N4, and MXene have attracted significant attention due to their excellent physico-chemical properties, thereby extensively used in numerous applications including biocidal agents.