Plasmonic Enhancement Strategies for Light-Driven Microbe Inactivation

Light can be an effective antimicrobial. UV-C light, in particular, is, now commonly used to sterilize inanimate surfaces, water, and even air. Highly energetic light can, however, also lead to unwanted photodamage and be hazardous. Consequently, conventional light-mediated microbe inactivation is not suitable for all applications. Plasirionic nanostructures can enhance electromagnetic fields in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum and show unique light-induced responses that can drive strong antimicrobial effects even for wavelengths that without plasmonic enhancement have little to no antimicrobial impact. Plasitiottic nanostructures offer thus a potential strategy to expand the antimicrobial effect of light to wavelength and intensity ranges in which light-associated collateral damages are lower. This Perspective examines selected plasrnon-enhanced antimicrobial strategies, elucidates the underlying physicochemical mechanisms, and discusses applications.

Automated summary

Light can effectively kill microorganisms. UV-C light is commonly used for sterilization, but high-energy light can cause unwanted damage. Plasmonic nanostructures can enhance electromagnetic fields and have unique light-induced responses, resulting in strong antimicrobial effects even for wavelengths without plasmonic enhancement. This paper examines plasmon-enhanced antimicrobial strategies, explains the underlying mechanisms, and discusses applications.