Synthesis Characterization, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of ZnO Nanorods on Reduced Graphene Oxide

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods decorated on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposite was synthesized by one-pot hydrothermal synthesis. The morphology and the properties of the synthesized RGO–ZnO composites were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, FE-SEM-EDAX, HR-TEM, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and X-ray photo spectroscopy techniques. The antimicrobial properties of the graphene nanocomposite were examined against four different pathogens by agar well diffusion method, and antioxidant properties of the same were examined by four different free radical scavenging assays. It possessed no toxic effects on HEK293 Human embryonic kidney cell line. The synergistic effects between ZnO nanorods and RGO sheets enhanced the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the composite. The zinc ions in the solution dispersed on the RGO sheets enabled the intimate contact with microbes and induced the microbes to death. The results state that the RGO–ZnO nanocomposite exhibited remarkably enhanced antimicrobial efficacy and excellent cytotoxic property. The prepared RGO–ZnO nanocomposite was considered as a potent candidate for antibacterial and antioxidant activity.