Graphene oxide silver alginate and graphene oxide silver cellulose nanofibril nanocomposite: Comparison of antibacterial activity

Abstract

Graphene oxide silver nanocomposite (GOAg) with the incorporation of cellulose nanofibril (CNF) and alginate (Alg) was successfully prepared using a straightforward method, and their antimicrobial activity was investigated. This work aims to compare the antimicrobial properties of GO, GOAg, GOAg/CNF, and GOAg/Alg. The structure, characteristics, and morphology of the nanocomposite were studied by using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV- Vis),x-ray-diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the antibacterial study was performed using disk diffusion methods. The results reveal that E. coli were more susceptible against GOAg/Alg. Meanwhile, S. aureus were more susceptible against GOAg/CNF where the maximum inhibition zone recorded are. 14.0 ± 0.70 mm and 12.8 ± 1.0 mm respectively. The incorporation of GOAg with CNF in E. coli and S. aureus increases the inhibition zone to 8% and 8.4% compared to GOAg alone. Meanwhile, GOAg/Alg only increases the inhibition zone for E. coli by 12% and no improvement of inhibition reading for S. aureus. In conclusion, the incorporation of GOAg with CNF and Alg increases the antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposite compared to GOAg alone.