Antibacterial Electroconductive Composite Coating of Cotton Fabric

Abstract

Graphene oxide (GO) was deposited on a cotton fabric and then thermally reduced to reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with the assistance of L-ascorbic acid. The GO reduction imparted electrical conductivity to the fabric and allowed for electrochemical deposition of Ag◦ particles using cyclic voltammetry. Only the Ag◦ /rGO composite coating imparted antibacterial properties to the fabric against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Ag◦ /rGO-modified fibers were free of bacterial film, and bacterial growth inhibition zones around the material specimens were found. Moreover, Ag◦ /rGO-modified fabric became superhydrophobic with WCA of 161◦ .