Functionalization of reduced graphene oxide with polysulfone brushes enhance antibacterial properties and reduce human cytotoxicity Articles uri icon

published in

publication date

  • October 2016

start page

  • 258

end page

  • 268

volume

  • 111

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0008-6223

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1873-3891

abstract

  • The present study reports two routes to modify reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets with polysulfone (PSU) brushes via nitrene chemistry. The PSU polymer is bonded to rGO at the extremity (rGO-PSU end) and at the middle of the PSU chain (rGO-PSU mid). The resulting rGO-PSU synthetic products are carefully characterized by Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, XPS, TEM, and thermogravimetric analysis, evidencing the successful grafting of PSU onto rGO surfaces. The long-term stability of these nanosheets is also determined in common solvents. The antibacterial properties of polymer-functionalized rGO against the planktonic Bacilus subtilis and Escherichia coli are also investigated. It is established that the antimicrobial properties of these nanocomposites are due to the production of reactive oxygen species.

subjects

  • Chemistry
  • Materials science and engineering

keywords

  • carbon nanotubes; click chemistry; raft polymerization; raman-spectroscopy; water-treatment; graphite oxide; adsorption; nanosheets; route; acid