2D Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2 ) Nanosheets: An Emerging Antibacterial Agent

The development of resistance against antibiotics in microorganisms has led to the search for alternatives that can effectively kill microbes and will have a lesser probability of the generation of resistance. In this regard, nanomaterials have emerged as protagonists demonstrating efficient antibacterial activities against drug-resistant strains. Amongst nanomaterials, 2D nanosheets have attracted attention as an antibacterial agent due to their sheet-like features, having sharp edges and corners which can pierce through bacterial membranes, subsequently leading to membrane damage. The present chapter discusses the antibacterial potential of one such 2D material, transition metal dichalcogenides, specifically MoS2 nanosheets and their composites. A brief discussion about the synthesis of MoS2 nanosheets is presented, and a detailed overview of its application as an antibacterial agent is illustrated. The mechanism of action of antibacterial activity of 2D MoS2 nanosheets is discussed, which shows that these nanosheets can cause bacterial cell death through membrane damage and depolarization, metabolic inactivation and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Further, the photothermal property and the intrinsic peroxidase-like activity in certain conditions can also show antibacterial activity, which is summarized in the chapter along with the biocompatibility evaluation.