Non-covalent functionalization of surfactant-assisted graphene oxide with silver nanocomposites for highly efficient photocatalysis and anti-biofilm applications

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive investigation on the synthesis and characterization of surfactant-assisted graphene oxide non-covalent functionalized silver nanocomposites (rGS-AgNPs) for achieving remarkable photocatalytic and anti-biofilm properties. The approach involves using an anionic surfactant (sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)), silver nitrate (AgNO₃), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as stabilizing/reducing agents, metal precursors, and supporting materials, respectively. Different composites were prepared by varying the concentration of AgNO₃, resulting in rGS-AgNPs composites with concentrations of 0.9 × 10⁻³ mM, 1.8 × 10⁻³ mM, and 2.7 × 10⁻³ mM. Characterization techniques including XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TEM/EDS analysis confirmed the formation of face-centered cubic AgNPs and amorphous rGO structures. The composites exhibited a firm binding of the surfactant and AgNPs on the surface of rGO nanosheets, resulting in efficient anti-biofilm and photocatalytic activity. The size of the supported AgNPs on rGO/SL was found to be 8–10 nm. The rGS-AgNPs composites displayed significantly improved anti-biofilm and photocatalytic performance, attributed to the increased surface area of AgNPs. Moreover, the photocatalytic efficiency of the rGS-AgNPs composites reached 96.48 % within 60 min, outperforming pure AgNPs. The synthetic procedure and practical applications will be utilized for biosensors, food packing technology, biomedical and pharmaceutically valuable reactions.