Surface-Modified Graphene Oxide-Based Cotton Fabric by Ion Implantation for Enhancing Antibacterial Activity

Graphene has been a concern as a promising antibacterial material. The antibacterial activity is proved to be related to the distinctive conformation. In this study, ion implantation is used to modify the surface property and structure of carbon-based materials as an effective technique. Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were introduced onto cotton fabric by radiation-induced cross-linking under the domestic microwave and suffered bombardment by different doses of Fe3+ ions. Scanning electron microscopy showed GO nanosheets have shown protuberances and nanopores after being treated by ion implantation. Atomic force microscopy and Raman analysis showed two facts: (1) ion bombardment damaged the original structure of GO-cotton, and some whirlpools structure was generated. (2) The root-mean-square value of the modified GO-cotton is higher than the controls. Compared with the untreated GO coated on cotton fabrics, the ion-implanted GO-cotton showed higher antibacterial activity. In addition, the high thermal stability and washing durability were also investigated. In general, the prepared materials possess excellent mechanical, thermal, antibacterial, and washing durability properties.