Ga@C-dots as an antibacterial agent for the eradication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes infections that are difficult to treat by antibiotic therapy. This research article reports on the synthesis of gallium (Ga) doped in carbon (C)-dots ( [email protected] ) and their antimicrobial activity against free-living P. aeruginosa bacteria. The synthesis of [email protected] was carried out by sonicating molten Ga (for 2.5 h) in polyethylene glycol-400, which acts as both a medium and carbon source. The resultant [email protected] , having an average diameter of 9±2 nm, showed remarkably enhanced antibacterial activity compared with undoped C-dots. This was reflected by the much lower concentration of Ga doped within [email protected] which was required for full inhibition of the bacterial growth. These results highlight the possibility of using [email protected] as potential antimicrobial agents.