(488c) Improved Antibacterial Properties of a Silver-Based Metal Organic Framework through Its Decoration with Graphene Oxide

Antimicrobial side effect and resistance are two current challenges that have limited the application of even potent antimicrobial compounds^1-2. These challenges have motivated the development of nanomaterials with superior disinfection properties towards microbial pathogens³. In addition to silver (Ag)-based nanomaterials, two dimensional nanosheets such as graphene-oxide (GO) have received considerable attention owning to their biocidal activities^4-5.

In this work, an Ag-based nanomaterial is synthesized through decorating an Ag-based metal organic framework (Ag-MOF) with GO. Several analysis methods are used to characterize the nanocomposite and verify the embellishment of Ag-MOF nanoparticles with GO. The growth curve, fluorescence imaging, and flow cytometry methods are employed to assess biocidal activity of the nanocomposite, Ag-MOF, and GO against Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis. The nanocomposite exhibits superior antibacterial activity higher than those of Ag-MOF nanoparticles and GO nanosheets alone. The results indicate that the synthesized nanocomposite damages 95% of bacterial cells, while Ag-MOF nanoparticles alone damage 85% of the cells. This study points to a new path for developing highly-effective antibacterial agents for medical and biomedical purposes.

Keywords: Nanomaterials, silver, metal-organic framework, graphene oxide, antibacterial property, nanocomposite.

References:

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