GO-based antibacterial composites: Application and design strategies

Graphene oxide (GO), for its unique structure with high biocompatibility and designability, is widely used in the antibacterial field. Various strategies have been designed to fabricate GO-based composites with antibacterial properties. This review summarized these strategies, divided them into three types and interpreted their antibacterial mechanisms: (i) GO*/non-GO type in which GO acts as the single antibacterial core, (ii) GO*/non-GO* type in which GO and non-GO components function synergistically as dual antibacterial cores, (iii) GO/non-GO* type in which non-GO acts as the single antibacterial core, while GO component plays a supportive, not a dominant role in antibiosis. Besides, the fields suiting their applications and factors influencing their antibacterial properties were analyzed. Finally, the limitations and prospects in the current researches were discussed. In summary, GO-based composites have revolutionized antibacterial strategies. This review may serve as a reference to inspire further research on GO-based antibacterial composites. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Graphene oxide (GO) is widely used in the antibacterial field due to its unique structure with high biocompatibility and designability. Different strategies have been designed to fabricate GO-based composites with antibacterial properties, which are divided into three types with different antibacterial mechanisms. Factors influencing their antibacterial properties and limitations in current researches were also discussed in this review. GO-based composites have revolutionized antibacterial strategies and may inspire further research in this field.