Calixarene Assisted Rapid Synthesis of Silver-Graphene Nanocomposites with Enhanced Antibacterial Activity

Abstract

Demonstrated herein is a single rapid approach employed for synthesis of Aggraphene nanocomposites, with excellent antibacterial properties and low cytotoxicity, by utilizing a Continuous Hydrothermal Flow Synthesis (CHFS) process in combination with phexasulfonic acid calix[6]arene (SCX6) as an effective particle stabilizer. The nanocomposites showed high activity against E. coli (Gram-negative) and S. aureus (Gram-positive) bacteria.The materials were characterized using a range of techniques including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FT-IR and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). This rapid, single step synthetic approach not only provides a facile means of enabling and controlling graphene reduction (under alkaline conditions), but also offers an optimal route for homogeneously producing and depositing highly crystalline Ag nanostructures into reduced graphene oxide substrate.

Chemical Functionalisation of 2D Materials by Batch and Continuous Hydrothermal Flow Synthesis

“…Thus, by feeding water dispersions of 2D material into a CHFS process at different points of nucleation (i.e., before nucleation and after or during nucleation), it will be possible to fully integrate these two materials into true nanocomposites. For instance, Kellici and co‐workers also demonstrated a single rapid method of synthesising Ag/graphene nanocomposites with excellent antibacterial properties through combination with sulfonated calixarenes (Figure ) . In their work, surface‐functionalised reduced graphene oxide (rGO) through continuous hydrothermal flow method provides a support for Ag nanoparticles to prevent aggregation and also enhances bacteria adsorption due to negatively charged rGO surface.…”

“…In their work, surface‐functionalised reduced graphene oxide (rGO) through continuous hydrothermal flow method provides a support for Ag nanoparticles to prevent aggregation and also enhances bacteria adsorption due to negatively charged rGO surface. The Ag nanoparticles are stabilised by a class of macrocyclic compounds, calixarenes . The nanocomposites showed high activity against E. coli (Gram‐negative) and S. aureus (Gram‐positive) bacteria and in selected cases the materials were reported to outperform traditional antibiotics.…”

Latest Advances in Antibacterial Materials

“…Kellici et al reported a single rapid approach employed for synthesis of Ag-graphene nanocomposites, with excellent antibacterial properties and low cytotoxicity. 36 This was achieved by using a continuous hydrothermal°ow synthesis (CHFS) process in combination with p-hexasulfonic acid calix [6]arene (SCX6) as an e®ective particle stabilizer. The nanocomposites showed high activity against E. coli (Gram-negative) and S. aureus (Gram-positive) bacteria.…”

A Facile Green Reduction for Graphene‐Silver Nanocomposite Using Betel Leaf Extract for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Water Pollutants

“…The use of plant extracts as reducing agents will effectively reduce the environmental pollution, production cost and produces biocompatible materials. Literature has witnessed the synthesis of graphene and its composites according to the green chemistry point of view using eco‐friendly reagents such as L‐ascorbic acid, L–Lysine, glucose, tea polyphenols, mortino berry extract, Fenugreek seeds extract, E. Helioscopia L. Leaf extract, E. Bungei Bioss, W. Coagulans leaf extract, barberry fruit extract, etc …”

“…Literature has witnessed the synthesis of graphene and its composites according to the green chemistry point of view using eco-friendly reagents such as L-ascorbic acid, L-Lysine, glucose, tea polyphenols, mortino berry extract, Fenugreek seeds extract, E. Helioscopia L. Leaf extract, E. Bungei Bioss, W. Coagulans leaf extract, barberry fruit extract, etc. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] Betel tree from Piperaceae family is native to Malaysia whose scientific name is Piper Betle which is popularly known as Paan in India (Vedic name-saptasira). [29] It is extensively cultivated in India, Sri Lanka and in some parts of South Asia owing to its wide use as a mouth freshener.…”