Antibacterial activity of Ag-graphene nanocomposites against Gram-Positive and Gram-negative bacteria

Abstract

Many pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which are common sources of disease and infection in both humans and animals, have a significant impact on human health. To combat these microorganisms, scientists and technicians are steadily attempting to develop novel and potent antimicrobial agents. Recently, graphene nanosheets (GNs) based nanocomposites (NCs) have shown promising potential as antibacterial activity against microorganisms. The present is an attempt to examine the antimicrobial effect of Silver (Ag)/GNs NCs against gram-positive (Bacillus thuringiensis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis) and gram-negative (Salmonella typhi) bacteria. In this study, Ag/GNs NCs have been synthesized by the solvothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-vis spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have all been used to study the Ag/GNs NCs. The antibacterial activity of synthesized GO and Ag/GNs NCs was evaluated against microorganisms using the disk diffusion method. The elemental analysis of synthesized nanomaterial revealed that GO and Ag ions have been reduced by citric acid, and led to the successful formation of Ag/GNs NCs. The resultant NCs have been examined for their antibacterial activity against gram-positive (Bacillus thuringiensis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis) and gram-negative (Salmonella typhi) bacteria. It was observed that Ag/GNs NCs markedly inhibit gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The prepared Ag/GNs NCs have the potential for long-term gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria-targeting antibacterial activities and grasp the ability in combating public health threats.