Chitosan and graphene oxide hybrid nanocomposite film doped with silver nanoparticles efficiently prevents biofouling

We developed four different hybrid nanocomposite films using graphene oxide nanosheet (GOns), chitosan (Ch) and silver nanoparticles (AgNP) and investigated their inhibitory effect on bacterial biofilm formation (biofouling). Spectroscopy and electron microscopy results confirmed the doping of AgNP on GOns-Ch matrix. The wettability study of films also confirmed that GOns-Ch-AgNP nanocomposite film has the highest surface hydrophobicity among all. When Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis were grown and biofouling was studied with different nanocomposite films, AgNP-doped nanocomposite film demonstrated efficient inhibition of biofilm formation which was evident by agar plate, congo red, swarming motility assay as well as electron microscopy imaging results. We also observed from the degradation assay that the nanocomposites were pretty stable in solution and showed ignorable leaching of AgNP and minimum structural deformation of the matrix. Overall, our study clearly proved that AgNP doped GOns-Ch nano-composite (GOns-Ch-AgNP) exhibited anti-adhesion as well as anti-microbial property and hence the nanocomposite might be used as a surface coating material in various industries including marine and health sector industries to prevent biofouling. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.