Fabrication of antibacterial sponge cleaner using gold nanoclusters.

From the dinner table to the office, many surfaces contain bacteria and the threat to human health. In this work, cost-effective antimicrobial foams were developed by the adsorption of lysozyme protected gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) in sponges. Antibacterial activities of the prepared antibacterial AuNCs were evaluated using typical Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). The antibacterial foams were further fabricated by the absorption of the positively charged AuNCs in the negatively charged sponges. The inhibitions of bacteria on random surfaces, such as mobile phones, tables, doorknobs, and cabinet handles, were exhibited by cleaning them with the antibacterial foams.