Noble metal nanoparticles and graphene oxide based hybrid nanostructures for antibacterial applications: Recent advances, synergistic antibacterial activities, and mechanistic approaches

Antibiotic resistance is a critical and expanding problem for public health, as well as a significant challenge for the pharmaceutical and medical industries. Pathogenic bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics are developing at a rate that is far faster than new drug development. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a novel class of antibiotics with a distinct mode of action with better effect. In this context, noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) (i.e. Ag, Au, Cu) and graphene oxide (GO) based nanocomposite materials have emerged as novel nanohybrid materials owing to their characteristics which combine to provide excellent antibacterial effects. These nanohybrids have been engineered and extensively investigated in recent years with a diverse range of applications including their antibacterial applications. This short review envisages the recent advances carried out in understanding the various antibacterial activities of noble metal NPs-GO nanohybrids with emphasis on the engineering of nanostructures and synergetic mechanisms of antibacterial actions. The synergetic antibacterial mechanism has been discussed, emphasizing the distinct role of GO and noble metal NPs towards combined antibacterial activities. Furthermore, the latest developments and antibacterial applications of such promising GO-noble metal NPs-based nanohybrids have been discussed followed by outlook and future prospects.