Green synthesis of graphene oxide sheets decorated by silver nanoprisms and their anti-bacterial properties

A widely soluble graphene oxide sheets decorated by silver nanoprisms were prepared through green synthesis at the room temperature using gelatin as reducing and stabilizing agent. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible spectroscopy and fluorescence spectra. The results demonstrate that these silver-nanoprisms assembled on graphene oxide sheets are flexible and can form stable suspensions in aqueous solutions. Furthermore, the formation mechanism of soluble graphene oxide sheets decorated by silver nanoprisms was successfully explained. The anti-bacterial properties of graphene oxide sheets decorated by silver nanoprisms were tested against Escherichia coli. This work provides a simple and green method for the synthesis of graphene oxide sheets decorated by silver nanoprisms in aqueous solution with promising antibacterial property. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.