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 -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.

Viral filtration using carbon‐based materials

“…This research reports the effect graphene‐based nanomaterials, graphene nanoplatelets and graphene oxide nanosheets (Figure 1), have on the inhibition of viruses. Analysis showed the graphene oxide nanosheets had a thickness of 0.85 ± 0.12 nm and lateral dimensions in the range of 1–4 µm (Matharu et al., 2020), while the graphene nanoplatelets had an average width of 110 ± 0.11 nm and average length of 170 ± 0.08 nm (Matharu, Ciric, et al, 2018; Matharu, Porwal, et al, 2018). This study involves testing both nanomaterials, incorporating them into polymeric fibres and testing the resulting antiviral efficacy.…”

“…Several methodologies have been proposed to prepare non‐leaching antimicrobial materials, but in most cases, they require a multistep procedure and are only specific for certain chemistries. Pressurized gyration approaches have demonstrated the successful manufacture of nanocomposite materials in a single step (Matharu, Charani, Ciric, Illangakoon, & Edirisinghe, 2018; Matharu, Ciric, et al, 2018; Matharu, Ciric, et al, 2018; Matharu, Porwal, et al, 2018; Matharu et al., 2020). The resulting fibre morphologies are described in Table 1.…”

“…Graphene oxide nanosheets were prepared from graphite powder following a modified Hummers' method (Marcano et al., 2010). Graphene oxide nanosheet synthesis and characterization has previously been reported (Matharu et al., 2020). Grade C‐750 graphene nanoplatelets (nanoplatelet size <2 µm with a typical thickness of 2 nm) were purchased from XG Sciences.…”

“…The atoms also have a weakly delocalized π‐electron cloud that is orientated in the z‐axis (Greshnov, 2014; Luo, Qiu, Lu, & Ni, 2013; Novoselov et al., 2007). The antibacterial properties of carbonaceous nanomaterials have been widely investigated and reported in the literature; however, their antiviral properties are unknown (Matharu, Ciric, & Edirisinghe, 2018; Matharu, Ciric, et al, 2018; Matharu et al., 2018, 2020). Studying the interaction between graphene nanomaterials and viral pathogens is of immense interest, to allow for the development of new antiviral treatments.…”

Comparative Study of the Antimicrobial Effects of Tungsten Nanoparticles and Tungsten Nanocomposite Fibres on Hospital Acquired Bacterial and Viral Pathogens

“…Recent advances in nanomaterials research have encouraged the use of nanoparticles as viable solutions to ongoing problems such as uncovering new antimicrobial agents. Over the last decade there has been a tremendous growth of research activities to explore the antimicrobial properties of a variety nanoparticles, including spheres, platelets, nanorods, nanoflowers and nanobars [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Particles in the nanometre range exhibit unique physical and chemical properties and have been established as an increasingly important material in the development of antimicrobial agents.…”