Synthesis of graphene based nanocomposites for biosensing and biomedical application
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Date
2023
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UMT, Lahore
Abstract
The exceptional properties of Graphene make it a compelling choice for nanomaterial applications. However, the combination of Graphene with other nanomaterials in the form of Nanocomposites (NC) opens up new possibilities for the fabrication and exploration of novel materials. In this thesis we focus on a specific set of Graphene-based nanocomposites that incorporate transition metal oxides. These nanocomposites offer a unique combination of Graphene's remarkable features with the desirable properties of transition metal oxides, providing a platform for the development of advanced materials with enhanced functionalities. As a start-up, GO-ZnO (Graphene Oxide-Zinc Oxide) nanostructures were successfully synthesized using the co-precipitation method with various concentration of GO. Characterization of designed NC was carried out using multiple techniques, while also evaluating their photocatalytic capability. XRD analysis confirmed the plane orientation and interplanar distance, which were consistent with the results obtained from HRTEM. Photoluminescence (PL) analysis clearly revealed a blueshift in the energies associated with near-band edge (NBE) emissions, indicating the impact of dopant quenching. The results suggested the uniform loading of dopant due to efficient coupling. This interface coupling enabled direct electron transfer from the valence band of ZnO to GO. The facile NCs demonstrated excellent photoactivity, offering a promising avenue for the design of next generation Graphene-based semiconductor composites. Furthermore, the synthesized samples exhibited remarkable bactericidal performance against both gram-positive (G +ve) and gram-negative (G -ve) bacteria, including S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. The antibacterial activity was confirmed through in vitro studies. Molecular docking analysis further provided insights into the mechanisms underlying the bactericidal activity of GO-ZnO nanostructures, suggesting the inhibition of β-lactamase and DNA gyrase as potential mechanisms. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the antibacterial properties of GO-ZnO nanostructures and their potential applications in combating bacterial infections.