Selective interactions of sugar-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes with Bacillus spores.

It was reported previously that monosaccharide-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) could interact with Bacillus anthracis (Sterne) spores with the mediation of a divalent cation such as Ca(2+) to result in significant spore aggregation and reduction in colony forming units. In this work a more systematic investigation was performed on interactions of the SWNTs functionalized with individual mannose and galactose moieties and their various dendritic configurations with B. anthracis and B. subtilis spores in the presence and absence of a divalent cation. Significant differences and selectivity between the Bacillus spores and between different sugars and their configurations were observed. The relevant results are presented, and their mechanistic implications are discussed.