A green approach for formation of silver nanoparticles on magnetic graphene oxide and highly effective antimicrobial activity and reusability

We report the a green approach for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) decorated magnetic graphene oxide nanocomposites (Ag@MGO NCs), which showed highly effective inhibitory property and reusability even at the very low concentration (12.5 ppm) towards Staphylococcus aureus (Gram +), Escherichia coli (Gram-) bacteria and Candida albicans fungus. It is worthy to mention that each component, such as GO, triethylene glycol (TREG) and Matricaria chamomilla (M. chamomile) plant extract (20% w/v), used for the synthesis of Ag@MGO NCs is safe and biocompatible. Although GO showed no significant inhibitory property, M. chamomile directed Ag@MGO NCs exhibited highly enhanced superior inhibitory activity. Benefiting from magnetic property of Ag@MGO NCs allows us for repeated use of them in inhibitory experiment. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.