Hybrid Hydrophilic Nanofiber Membrane for Photodynamic Inactivation

We present a novel approach to creating nanofiber membranes with antibacterial, photocatalytic, and magnetic properties. Using electrospinning, we functionalized the membranes with tetraphenylporphyrin to produce singlet oxygen when exposed to visible light. We also added maghemite nanoparticles stabilized by polyethylenimine to enable remote manipulation of the membranes by a magnetic field. The resulting material demonstrated strong antibacterial effects against E. coli and improved photothermal properties upon short, 10-minute light irradiation, as well as the ability to produce hydrogen peroxide after irradiation. The magnetic properties of the membranes also make them suitable for use in hazardous or highly contaminated environments. These multifunctional nanofiber membranes have potential applications in fields such as biomedicine, environmental science, and industrial filtration.