Synthesis of Biocompatible Carboxylic Acid- Functionalized Graphene Oxide as Stimulator of Bacterial Growth

Researchers have shown great interest in graphene and its potential applications in various fields, such as electronics, energy, materials and biomedical areas. The effects of graphene, graphene oxide (GO) and its derivatives on bacteria activities are still controversial. Thus, how graphene and its derivatives interact with microorganisms and the mechanisms of their interactions are important issues for nanotechnology which need proper exploration. In the present investigation, graphene oxide (GO) has been synthesized and functionalized by chemical method. The GO and COOH-functionalized GO have been characterized by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy; Raman spectroscopy and SEM and haemocompatibility study. The effect of GO and COOH-GO on bacterial growth has been observed. The FTIR, Raman and SEM data confirmed the successful functionalization of GO with carboxyl (COOH) group. Interestingly, functionalized graphene oxide can significantly stimulate bacterial growth for gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, whereas as-made GO shows no effect. It can be concluded that carboxylic acid-functionalized GO may act as a new, positive regulator for the growth of bacterial cells.