Photothermal-assisted antibacterial application of GO-Ag nanocomposites against clinical isolated MDR E. coli

In the field of public health, treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infection is a great challenge. Herein, we provide a solution to this problem with the use of graphene oxide-silver (GO-Ag) nanocomposites as anti-bacterial agent. Following established protocols, silver nanoparticles were grown on graphene oxide sheets. Then, a series of in-vitro studies were conducted to validate the antibacterial efficiency of the GO-Ag nanocomposites against clinical MDR Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains. GO-Ag nanocomposites showed the highest antibacterial efficiency among tested antimicrobials (graphene oxide, silver nanoparticles, GO-Ag), and synergetic antibacterial effect was observed in GO-Ag nanocomposites treated group. 14.0 µg mL-1 GO-Ag treatment could greatly inhibit bacteria growth, remained bacteria viabilities were 4.4% and 4.1% for MDR-1 and MDR-2 E. coli bacteria respectively. In addition, with assistance of photothermal effect, effective sterilization could be achieved...