Synthesis of chitosan based reduced graphene oxide-CeO2 nanocomposites for drug delivery and antibacterial applications

In this study, the unique characteristics of chitosan, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and cerium oxide (CeO2) based hybrid bionano-composites make a carrier for various drug delivery and antimicrobial applications. The recent literatures shown that addition of biopolymers to rGO and CeO2 based nanocomposites exhibit excellent performance in design and development of biosensors, wound dressings, electrodes, microfluidic chips, drug delivery systems and energy storage applications. Chitosan (CS), reduced graphene oxide (rGO) mixed with cerium oxide (CeO2) to form CS-rGO and CS-rGO-CeO2 hybrid bionano-composites using precipitation method. The physiochemical characterization of casted nanocomposite sheet was done using FTIR, XRD, UV–Vis spectrum, SEM and TGA. The XRD results of CS-rGO-CeO2 revealed that the nanoparticle was found to be crystalline structure. FTIR revealed that nitrogen functionalities of CS interacted with rGO-CeO2 to form hybrid nanocomposites. The thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the CS-rGO-CeO2 has better thermal stability up to 550 °C. The SEM confirms the surface morphology of CS-rGO-CeO2 has large surface area with smooth surface. Moreover, the antibacterial properties of nanocomposites exhibit excellent zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The NIH3T3 cell line evaluations showed superior cell adhesion on hybrid nanocomposites. Hence bionano-composite based on CS, rGO and CeO2 are potential biomaterials for drug delivery and antibacterial applications. [Display omitted] •CS-rGO-CeO2 bionano-composite was prepared by simple, facile one-pot co-precipitation method.•CS-rGO-CeO2 bionano-composite has better biocompatibility and superior antimicrobial efficacy against tested pathogens.•CS-rGO-CeO2 bionano-composite exerted strong drug release and significant cytotoxicity against A549 cell lines.