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Electron Transfer Directed Antibacterial Properties of Graphene Oxide on Metals
Author(s) -
Panda Sunita,
Rout Tapan K.,
Prusty Agnish Dev,
Ajayan Pulickel M.,
Nayak Sasmita
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201702149
Subject(s) - graphene , materials science , oxide , metal , electron transfer , nanomaterials , antimicrobial , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , antibacterial activity , reactive oxygen species , substrate (aquarium) , oxygen , bacteria , photochemistry , chemistry , organic chemistry , metallurgy , biochemistry , biology , engineering , genetics , oceanography , geology
Nanomaterials such as silver nanoparticles and graphene‐based composites are known to exhibit biocidal activities. However, interactions with surrounding medium or supporting substrates can significantly influence this activity. Here, it is shown that superior antimicrobial properties of natural shellac‐derived graphene oxide (GO) coatings is obtained on metallic films, such as Zn, Ni, Sn, and steel. It is also found that such activities are directly correlated to the electrical conductivity of the GO‐metal systems; the higher the conductivity the better is the antibacterial activity. GO‐metal substrate interactions serve as an efficient electron sink for the bacterial respiratory pathway, where electrons modify oxygen containing functional groups on GO surfaces to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). A concerted effect of nonoxidative electron transfer mechanism and consequent ROS mediated oxidative stress to the bacteria result in an enhanced antimicrobial action of naturally derived GO‐metal films. The lack of germicidal effect in exposed cells for GO supported on electrically nonconductive substrates such as glass corroborates the above hypothesis. The results can lead to new GO coated antibacterial metal surfaces important for environmental and biomedical applications.