Synthesis and Characterization of Graphene Oxide Embedded with Gold Nanoparticles

This study aims to address the synthesis and characterization of graphene oxide embedded with gold nanoparticles for antibacterial activity. The seed-mediated growth approach had been used to create graphene oxide-gold nanoparticles. Using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, graphene oxide embedded gold nanoparticles had been studied (FTIR). The results of the UV-Vis study show that the gold particles were successfully produced on the graphene sheet. Through the XRD examination, the structure of the gold particles in the thin films was further established. The FTIR study demonstrated the interaction between gold particles and graphene oxide in the thin layer. Meanwhile, using the disc diffusion method and the measurement of the inhibitory zone, it was determined how effective the antibacterial properties of the gold nanoparticles with graphene oxide incorporated were. The graphene oxide embedded gold nanoparticles demonstrated partial selectivity for the performance of antibacterial activity towards the gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria strains, which are E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. The findings show that graphene oxide embedded gold nanoparticles have better antibacterial action against S. aureus than they do against E. coli, indicating that S. aureus is more sensitive to the graphene oxide embedded gold nanoparticles.
Keywords: Graphene oxide-gold nanoparticles, inhibition zone, E. coli and S. aureus.