Graphene oxide silver alginate and graphene oxide silver cellulose nanofibril nanocomposite: Comparison of antibacterial activity

Graphene oxide silver nanocomposite (GOAg) with the incorporation of cellulose nanofibril (CNF) and alginate (Alg) was successfully prepared using a straightforward method, and their antimicrobial activity was investigated. This work aims to compare the antimicrobial properties of GO, GOAg, GOAg/CNF, and GOAg/Alg. The structure, characteristics, and morphology of the nanocomposite were studied by using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV- Vis),x-ray-diffraction ( XRD), fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the antibacterial study was performed using disk diffusion methods. The results reveal that E. coli were more susceptible against GOAg/Alg. Meanwhile, S. aureus were more susceptible against GOAg/CNF where the maximum inhibition zone recorded are. 14.0 ± 0.70 mm and 12.8 ± 1.0 mm respectively. The incorporation of GOAg with CNF in E. coli and S. aureus increases the inhibition zone to 8% and 8.4% compared to GOAg alone. Meanwhile, GOAg/Alg only increases the inhibition zone for E. coli by 12% and no improvement of inhibition reading for S. aureus. In conclusion, the incorporation of GOAg with CNF and Alg increases the antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposite compared to GOAg alone.