Synthesis of Biocompatible carboxylic acid functionalized Graphene Oxide as a stimulator of bacterial growth

Abstract

Researchers have shown great interest towards Graphene and its potential applications in various fields such as electronics, energy, materials and biomedical areas. The effects of Graphene, graphene oxide (GO) and its derivatives on bacteria activities is still controversial. Thus, how graphene and its derivatives interact with microorganisms and the mechanisms of their interactions are important issues for nanotechnology which need proper exploration. In the present investigation, graphene oxide (GO) has been synthesized and functionalized by the chemical method. The GO and COOH-functionalized GO have been characterized by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy; Raman spectroscopy and SEM analysis. Further, haemocompatibility study has been performed to check the biocompatibility of functionalized graphene oxide. The effect of GO and COOH-GO on the bacterial growth has been observed. The FTIR, Raman and SEM data confirm the successfully functionalization of GO with carboxyl (-COOH) group. The haemolysis test shows that GO and GO-COOH are highly hemocompatible. Interestingly, functionalized graphene oxide, can significantly stimulate bacterial growth for gram positive and gram negative bacteria, whereas as-made GO shows no effect. It can be concluded that carboxylic acid functionalized GO may act as a new, positive regulator for the growth of bacterial cells.