Composite Materials Based on (Cymene)Ru(II) Curcumin Additives Loaded on Porous Carbon Adsorbents from Agricultural Residues Display Efficient Antibacterial Activity

Alternative composite materials with antibacterial activity have been developed by combining the porosity of carbon materials and the antibacterial activity of half sandwich (cymene)Ru-curcumin complexes. Different types of activated carbon were used, from commercial to synthetic and also ones derived from agricultural waste residues (almond shells), to study the influence of their physicochemical properties. Half sandwich (cymene)Ru(II) curcumin complexes were selected on the basis of solubility and toxicity. The stability of the Ru complexes on carbon surfaces was analyzed by different techniques. The combination of low soluble Ru complexes with high porous carbon materials prevents leaching into solution and leads to new composite materials with high porosity, high adsorption capacity, and efficient antibacterial activity. All composite materials are able to maintain their surface free of Gram-negative bacteria even after 3 days in contact with a highly concentrated bacteria cultivation media. These features can be relevant to the use of such carbon composites in air filters or aqueous treatment applications.