A simple and cost-effective synthesis of graphene oxide stabilized glucose-capped copper oxide nanoparticles and its antibacterial properties

A simple and cost-effective approach has been used to synthesize biocompatible nanocomposites of graphene oxide, glucose and copper oxide. Basically, three types of nanocomposites (i.e., Glucose-capped copper oxide nanoparticles, GO stabilized copper oxide nanoparticles and GO stabilized glucose-capped copper oxide nanoparticles) are synthesized at 35, 75, and 100°C. All the nanocomposites are characterized for their physical properties and studied for their antibacterial properties. Antibacterial testing against laboratory strains of Escherichia coli and Bacillus anthracis shows that all the nanocomposites synthesized at 35°C possess better antibacterial activities compared to other nanocomposites and GO. In this study, the order of antibacterial activity for synthesized nanocomposites observed is Cu/Glu/GO > Cu/Glu > Cu/GO, suggesting that the Cu/Glu/GO possess comparatively significant antibacterial properties owing to the synergistic effect of copper, glucose and GO. However, it should be further explored to be an alternative antibacterial agent to overcome antimicrobial resistance in near future.