Development and antibacterial activities of bacterial cellulose/graphene oxide-CuO nanocomposite films

Publication date: Available online 12 October 2019Source: Carbohydrate PolymersAuthor(s): Yan-Yan Xie, Xiao-Hui Hu, Yan-Wen Zhang, Fazli Wahid, Li-Qiang Chu, Shi-Ru Jia, Cheng ZhongAbstractThe absence of antibacterial activity in bacterial cellulose (BC) restricts its applications in the biomedical field. To introduce antimicrobial properties into BC, we studied the synthesis, structures, and antimicrobial properties of a novel nanocomposite film comprising BC, graphene oxide (GO), and copper-oxide (CuO) nanosheets. The nanocomposite film was synthesized by incorporating GO-CuO nanohybrids into BC matrix through homogenized blending. The CuO nanosheets, with a length range between 50 nm–200 nm and width range between 20 nm–50 nm, which were uniformly growed on the GO along with even distribution of GO-CuO nanohybrids on the surface of the cellulose fibers. The nanocomposites displayed better antimicrobial activity against gram-positive than gram-negative bacteria. BC/GO-CuO nanocomposites showed higher antibacterial activity than BC/CuO. We also elucidated the mechanisms of antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposites. Further, the nanocomposites exhibited biocompatibility towards mice fibroblast cells. The nanocomposites might serve as an excellent source for development of antimicrobial materials.
Source: Carbohydrate Polymers - Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research