Potent E. coli M-17 Growth Inhibition by Ultrasonically Complexed Acetylsalicylic Acid–ZnO–Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

A single-step ultrasonic method (20 kHz) is demonstrated for the complexation of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)–ZnO–graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles with an average size of <70 nm in aqueous solution. ASA–ZnO–GO more efficiently inhibits the growth of probiotic Escherichia coli strain M-17 and exhibits enhanced antioxidant properties than free ASA and ASA–ZnO in neutralization of hydroxyl radicals in the electro-Fenton process. This improved function of ASA in the ASA–ZnO–GO can be attributed to the well-defined cone-shaped morphology, the surface structure containing hydroxyl and carboxylate groups of ZnO–GO nanoparticles, which facilitated the complexation with ASA.