Ambient light antimicrobial activity of reduced graphene oxide supported metal doped TiO2 nanoparticles and their PVA based polymer nanocomposite films

Copper doped TiO2 nanoparticles with reduced graphene oxide as a solid support were introduced as new ambient light antimicrobial agents. The doping with copper extended the activity to the visible light and the reduced graphene oxide helped to enhance charge transport during photocatalytic degradation of microorganisms. The antimicrobial activity of the bare as well as the modified TiO2 particles was tested with four different microorganisms, namely two Gram positive and two Gram negative types. Zone of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests were carried out under visible light conditions. The results suggest that Cu2O-TiO2/rGO exhibits better visible light antibacterial property with higher zone of inhibition area and lower value of minimum inhibitory concentration for both Gram positive and Gram negative microorganisms compared to the bare TiO2. Polymer nanocomposite films were prepared using these nanoparticles with PVA and the antimicrobial activity was tested again for possible packaging applications.