Mussel-inspired fabrication of cationic polymer modified rGO supported silver nanoparticles hybrid with robust antibacterial and catalytic reduction performance

Abstract Mussel-inspired strategy was developed to fabricate quaternized polymer modified reduced graphene oxide supported silver nanoparticles hybrid (rGO-QCP-Ag) for efficient antibacterial agent and nanocatalyst. The rGO-QCP-Ag nanohybrid had high positive charge density and decent hydrophilic properties, and the Ag nanoparticles deposited on rGO exhibited ultra-small size and dispersion stability. The as-prepared nanohybrid showed high-efficacy and long-term antibacterial properties against E. coli (G−) and S. aureus (G+), especially, it could rapidly kill E. coli within 2 h at a concentration of 16 μg/mL. The antibacterial mechanism of nanohybrid mainly involved cell membrane damage and ROS generation. In addition, the nanohybrid displayed highly efficient catalytic reduction for p-nitrophenol and methylene blue. The excellent antibacterial and catalytic properties of the nanohybrid were mainly attributed to its water dispersion stability and the uniformly dispersed small-sized Ag nanoparticles on the polymer-decorated rGO sheets. Meanwhile, combining with the synergistic effect of two-dimensional rGO sheets, the above properties enable the nanohybrid to get in contact with bacteria and reactants effectively, enhancing the antimicrobial and catalytic properties. The excellent properties of the as-designed nanohybrid are expected to solve the problem of bacterial resistance and environmental pollution that is threatening public health.