Scientific Reports (Oct 2024)

Synergistic effects of thermally reduced graphene oxide/zinc oxide composite material on microbial infection for wound healing applications

  • A. Hassen,
  • E. A. Moawed,
  • Rehab Bahy,
  • A. B. El Basaty,
  • S. El-Sayed,
  • Ahmed I. Ali,
  • A. Tayel

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-73007-5
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
pp. 1 – 21

Abstract

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Abstract Infections originating from pathogenic microorganisms can significantly impede the natural wound-healing process. To address this obstacle, innovative bio-active nanomaterials have been developed to enhance antibacterial capabilities. This study focuses on the preparation of nanocomposites from thermally reduced graphene oxide and zinc oxide (TRGO/ZnO). The hydrothermal method was employed to synthesize these nanocomposites, and their physicochemical properties were comprehensively characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) techniques. Subsequently, the potential of TRGO/ZnO nanocomposites as bio-active materials against wound infection-causing bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, was evaluated. Furthermore, the investigated samples show disrupted bacterial biofilm formation. A reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay was conducted to investigate the mechanism of nanocomposite inhibition against bacteria and for further in-vivo determination of antimicrobial activity. The MTT assay was performed to ensure the safety and biocompatibility of nanocomposite. The results suggest that TRGO/ZnO nanocomposites have the potential to serve as effective bio-active nanomaterials for combating pathogenic microorganisms present in wounds.

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