Facile Synthesized Cu–RGO and Ag–RGO Nanocomposites with Potential Biomedical Applications

In the present study, we report on the facile prepared nanocomposites of reduced graphene oxide RGO with Cu and Ag. The synthesis was performed through an environmentally friendly and easy method by simultaneous reduction in solutions containing Cu(2+) or Ag(+) and graphene oxide (GO) using zinc powder as a reducing agent in aqueous acidic media. The composites are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, X-ray photoelectron and FTIR and Raman spectroscopies, as well as Scanning and Transmission electron microscopies. The antibacterial activity of the composites was tested for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and antifungal activity for Candida albicans. The cytotoxicity of the materials was studied towards two types of eukaryotic cells—MDCK II and A549 cell lines. The composites obtained consist of homogeneously distributed Cu and Ag nanoparticles on the surface of graphene sheets and manifest good antimicrobial activity and high cytotoxicity. The results clearly show that both metal–RGO composites can be successfully used as antimicrobial and anticancer agents.