Physicochemical characterization of different cellulose polymorphs/graphene oxide composites and their antibacterial activity

Abstract

In order to investigate the interaction of graphene oxide (GO) with different cellulose polymorphs (I and II), we synthesized cellulose (I and II)/GO composites using the sonication method. Interestingly, no new peaks were observed in the FT-IR pattern of the cellulose (I and II)/GO composites, indicating that no chemical reactions took place between GO and cellulose. The X-ray diffraction patterns of cellulose I and II/GO composites were slightly different than those observed for cellulose I and II, indicating that some physical interactions occurred between the GO and cellulose. Unexpectedly the d-spacing values and the diffraction plane at the high-angle side were most likely expanded in cellulose I rather than in cellulose II by adding GO, confirming the highest reactivity of GO toward cellulose I rather than cellulose II. Furthermore, SEM images showed that the conformal coating of GO on cellulose I was larger than that on cellulose II due to the strong adhesion between the GO and cellulose I. Cellulose/GO showed antimicrobial properties, and GO was found to be promising for textile antimicrobial finishing.