Triangular silver nanoparticles loaded on graphene oxide sheets as an antibacterial film

•Triangular AgNPs/GO films have been prepared.•The nanocomposite films display antibacterial activity against E. Coli and S. aureus.•A very small amount of triangular AgNPs in the composite film exert effective antibacterial activity. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are the only broad-spectrum antimicrobial nanoagents that have been used in clinical practice, although their harmful effects to the environment and mammalian cells continue to promote the development of advanced materials and effective approach. This work reports on synthesis of an antibacterial nanocomposite film formed from graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets decorated with triangular AgNPs. The AgNPs with different edge lengths were prepared by the photochemical growth process and were self-assembled on the surface of GO sheets. Our work indicated that the antibacterial activities of the composite films were amount-dependent of AgNPs, and a very low amount of triangular AgNPs in the composite films could exert effective antibacterial effect on Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus.