title: Successful stabilization of functionalized hybrid graphene for high-performance antimicrobial activity.
abstract: We have prepared an antimicrobial nanocomposite composed of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using antimicrobial agents and catechol derivative conjugated to polyethylene glycol-grafted poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PEG-g-PDMA). Graphene oxide (GO) has been simultaneously reduced by 2-chloro-3',4'-dihydroxyacetophenone (CCDP) in Tris buffer at pH 8.5 following catechol chemistry. Both CCDP and antimicrobial agent 1-bromododecane (C12) were quaternized to PEG-g-PDMA (CCDP-C12)-q-(PEG-g-PDMA). This synthesized polymer functionalized rGO as an antimicrobial nanocomposite, rGO/(CCDP-C12)-q-(PEG-g-PDMA). To increase antimicrobial activity, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were deposited onto the high surface area of rGO/(CCDP-C12)-q-(PEG-g-PDMA). The prepared antimicrobial nanocomposite shows significant stability in aqueous media due to the hydrophilic behaviour of PEG. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigation clearly shows the quaternization of C-12 and deposition of Ag NPs onto rGO surfaces. Ag NP-deposited rGO/(CCDP-C12)-q-(PEG-g-PDMA) shows better antimicrobial activity both against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria at lower concentration compared to without applying Ag NPs. Investigation of the cytotoxicity demonstrates outstanding non-toxic properties of both the prepared nanocomposite as well as the synthesized polymer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea National University of Transportation, Chungju 380-702, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.forename: Abdullah-Al
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Nahain
authors.forename: Sung Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Insik
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: In
authors.forename: Sung Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004355:Drug Stability; D006108:Graphite / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D006108:Graphite