Microwave synthesis of silver Graphene Oxide for enhanced antimicrobial performances

This study describes the microwave synthesis of silver graphene oxide for enhanced antimicrobial performances which can be applied in water treatment to solve the problem of water pollution. The graphene oxide prepared by using Simplified Hummer’s method then synthesis by microwave. The nanocomposite was analyze by using UV- visible Spectrophotometer (UV-Vis), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analyses. The result indicate that the silver nanoparticles were successfully composited on the graphene sheet after 10s, 20s, 30s, 40s and 50 second microwave synthesis which distributed randomly on the surface of the graphene oxide (GO). The crystalline structure of nano silver within the composite was confirm though X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. Whereas the surface morphology of silver graphene oxide nanocomposite was characterized by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The antibacterial performances of E-coli and S. aureus bacteria shown by the diameter of inhibition zone. The silver graphene oxide nanocomposite presented a good selectivity towards the enhancement of antibacterial performances towards gram negative and gram positive bacteria. The cell inactivation was leading by Ag-GO sheets which it greatly accumulated around the bacterial cell surface and caused triggering the diameter of the inhibition zone. The result showed the diameter of the inhibition zone of AgGO nanocomposite shown that the activities of bacteria towards S. aureus highest compared to E-coli bacteria. S. aureus bacteria was found relatively more sensitive to Ag-GO which produced the zone of inhibition around from 6.1mm until 12.5 mm while for E-coli bacteria from 6.2 mm until 9.6 mm.