Microstructure and antibacterial efficacy of graphene oxide nanocomposite fibres

Abstract

Antibacterial polymer nanocomposite fibre meshes containing graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were successfully prepared by pressurised gyration. The morphological and chemical composition of the resulting fibre meshes were determined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, Raman mapping and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). SEM showed the fibres to have an average diameter increasing from ~1–4 µm as the GO loading increased. FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the inclusion of GO nanosheets on the fibre surface. The antibacterial potential of GO nanocomposite fibres were investigated using Escherichia coli K12. Average bacterial reduction ranged from 46 to 85 % with results favouring the strongest bioactivities of the nanocomposite containing 8 wt% of GO. Finally, bacterial toxicity of the nanocomposites was evaluated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. A mechanism for the antibacterial behaviour of the nanocomposite fibres is presented. Stimulated Raman scattering imaging and spectra of the fibres post antibacterial studies showed flakes of GO distributed across the surface of the poly(methyl 2-methylpropenoate) (PMMA) fibres, which contribute to the high killing efficacy of the composites towards E. coli. GO nanosheets embedded in a polymer matrix have demonstrated the ability to retain their antibacterial properties, thus offering themselves as a promising antibacterial agent.