Publication Details
Abstract
Graphene oxide (GO) Nano composites can be described as a superior generation of hybrid nanomaterial's with remarkable structural, mechanical, and biological properties. In the current study, the synthesis of graphene oxide nanoparticles was performed through modified Hummers’ method from graphite. Afterward, some new functionalized Nano composites (namely H5, H6, H7, H9, and H10) were fabricated through ultrasonic dispersion and chemical condensation reaction with specific aromatic amine compounds and drug molecules such as mefenamic acid and theophylline. Structural, compositional, and morphological analyses were performed utilizing FT-IR, XRD, FESEM, and TEM techniques. FT-IR spectra indicated that there was a successful functionalization through covalent and non-covalent bonds based on the presence of characteristic vibrations corresponding to hydroxyl, carbonyl, amide, and azomethine groups. The XRD patterns revealed the chemical reduction of GO to rGO sheets due to the disappearance of the reflection peak at 2θ ≈ 10° along with the appearance of well-defined diffractions of (002) planes at 2θ ≈ 26.15°–27.18°, The degree of crystalline ordering was also noted. FESEM and TEM images revealed uniform distribution of well-dispersed drug nanoparticles in the form of ultrafine particles (15.28–39.99 nm) deposited on folded high surface area graphene sheets. Antifungal efficiency was determined by using Candida albicans against which antifungal activity was assessed through the agar well diffusion assay. Nano composites H6, H7, and H9 displayed prominent antifungal activity at lower concentrations (25 mg/mL) and showed inhibition zones (up to 18.1 mm) which were either better than or equal to the positive control (Gentamycin, 15.3–17.1 mm). It was seen that the increase in concentration resulted in the reduction in efficiency due to steric hindrance and increased viscosity.