title: Aqueous based synthesis of antimicrobial-decorated graphene.
abstract: Ramizol® (1,3,5-tris[(1E)-2'-(4'-benzoic acid)vinyl]benzene) is a potent amphiphilic anti-microbial agent. It is essentially a planar molecule and can interact with the surface of graphene via extended π-π interactions. Herein we demonstrate the utility of Ramizol® in potentially acting as a molecular 'wedge' to exfoliate graphene and stabilise it in water. The non-covalent attachment of Ramizol® on the graphene surface enables release of Ramizol® by altering the pH of the solution. Furthermore, the stabilised composite material demonstrates antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus which leads to potential in biomedical applications with graphene acting as a drug carrier as well as enhancing the structural strength of the composite material.
authors.affiliation: Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia. Electronic address: haniff.wahid@flinders.edu.au.
authors.forename: M Haniff
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wahid
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia. Electronic address: uwe.stroeher@flinders.edu.au.
authors.forename: Uwe H
authors.initials: UH
authors.lastname: Stroeher
authors.affiliation: Centre for Strategic Nano-Fabrication, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia. Electronic address: ela.eroglu@uwa.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eroglu
authors.affiliation: Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia. Electronic address: xianjue.chen@flinders.edu.au.
authors.forename: Xianjue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia. Electronic address: kasturi.vimalanthan@flinders.edu.au.
authors.forename: Kasturi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vimalanathan
authors.affiliation: Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia. Electronic address: colin.raston@flinders.edu.au.
authors.forename: Colin L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Raston
authors.affiliation: Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia. Electronic address: ramiz.boulos@flinders.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ramiz A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Boulos
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001565:Benzoates / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010316:Particle Size; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001565:Benzoates; D006108:Graphite; D013267:Stilbenes; D014867:Water; C000601530:Ramizol
keywords: Antibacterial; Antimicrobial; Exfoliation; Graphene; Non-covalent functionalization; Ramizol; Ultra-sonication