In the field of public health, treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infection is a great challenge. Herein, we provide a solution to this problem with the use of graphene oxide-silver (GO-Ag) nanocomposites as anti-bacterial agent. Following established protocols, silver nanoparticles were grown on graphene oxide sheets. Then, a series of in-vitro studies were conducted to validate the antibacterial efficiency of the GO-Ag nanocomposites against clinical MDR Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains. GO-Ag nanocomposites showed the highest antibacterial efficiency among tested antimicrobials (graphene oxide, silver nanoparticles, GO-Ag), and synergetic antibacterial effect was observed in GO-Ag nanocomposites treated group. 14.0 µg mL^-1 GO-Ag treatment could greatly inhibit bacteria growth, remained bacteria viabilities were 4.4% and 4.1% for MDR-1 and MDR-2 E. coli bacteria respectively. In addition, with assistance of photothermal effect, effective sterilization could be achieved using GO-Ag nanocomposites as low as 7.0 µg mL^-1. Fluorescence imaging and morphology characterization uncovered that bacteria integrity was disrupted after GO-Ag nanocomposites treatment. Cytotoxicity results of GO-Ag using human derived cell lines (HEK 293T, Hep G2) suggested more than 80% viability remained at 7.0 µg mL^-1. All the results proved that GO-Ag nanocomposites are efficient antibacterial agent against multi-drug resistant E. coli.

Absorption Spectrum

Absorption spectrum of different nanomaterials

GO-Ag MDR1 treatment

MTT assay data of MDR-1

GO-Ag MDR2 treatment

MTT assay data of MDR-2

Heating Curve

Heating curve of different nanomaterials (GO, GO-Ag, AgNP, Control)

PT combined MDR2 treatment

MTT assay data of MDR-2 with photothermal combined treatment