Context: Recently, Researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) have developed carbon nitride quantum dots (g-CNQDs), a low-cost metal-free nanomaterial for visible light microbial disinfection. It can be an alternative to silver and other metal-based materials.

About g-CNQDs

• The researchers have tested g-CNQDs for visible-light-driven antibacterial activity and found it to be efficient. It was also biocompatible with mammalian cells. 
• The material can be a viable anti bacterial alternative to metal/non-metal semiconductors and expensive silver. It is cost-effective.
• The newly developed nanomaterial possesses enhanced biocidal activity attributed to the larger surface area of g-CNQDs having more reactive sites and optical absorption both in the ultraviolet (UV) and visible region. 
• The g-CNQDs have the ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) which can rapidly interact and damage the immediately available biological macromolecules such as lipids present on the cell membrane or envelope and proteins present on the cellular surface, towards inactivation of the microorganism.
• This technology will be explored for antiviral efficiency considering its relevance to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.