A study on the bactericidal properties of Cu-coated carbon nanotubes

A Cu layer was coated on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by ion beam-assisted deposition (IBAD). Standard agar dilution method was used to evaluate the bactericidal rate against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. The structure and chemical states of the Cu-coated CNTs were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results show that the Cu-coated CNTs possess a very high bactericidal rate. In comparison with the Cu-coated pyrolytic carbon sample, the Cu-coated CNTs show much stronger bactericidal property.