Laser-Induced Graphene Composites for Electrically-Mediated Antimicrobial and Environmental Applications

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) is a three-dimensional, porous, electrically conductive graphene material generated predominantly by irradiation of polymer substrates with a 10.6 μm CO₂ laser. Since 2014, this material has been shown to be useful in myriads of applications. In this presentation, I will discuss the synthesis and exceptional properties of LIG composites in antibacterial or antiviral environmental applications including air and water treatment technology. Electrical effects and electro- and photo-thermal heating for bacterial killing will be shown and insights into the mechanism of action will be discussed. Notably, LIG surfaces can deactivate bacteria when low currents are passed through the surface, when the surfaces are used as electrodes, or as heaters. Also, LIG on dense and porous substrates exhibited an electrically mediated antifouling effect. Other metal-doped LIG composites showed antibacterial effects due to the release of metal ions into the solution as well as contact with metal-embedded nanoparticles. This method to generate electrically conductive graphene on water treatment technology such as porous polymer membranes and dense substrates will enable many new applications in water treatment and separations.