Multiple-twinned silver nanoparticles supported on mesoporous graphene with enhanced antibacterial activity

Multiple-twinned silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) supported on mesoporous graphene were prepared through a facile oxidative etching process. Firstly, the Ag-NPs are supported onto the traditional graphene (Ag-NPs/G) by the typical wetness impregnation method. Then, the mesopores with sizes ranging from 5 to 10 nm were successfully fabricated on the initial graphene support through the oxidative etching process assisted by the Ag-NPs. And the Ag-NPs with multiple-twinned structure were simultaneously generated on the mesoporous graphene (Ag-M(t)NPs/M(p)G) during the etching process. The synergistic effect of both the unique mesopores on the graphene and the as-prepared multiple-twinned Ag-NPs in the Ag-M(t)NPs/M(p)G sample dramatically enhanced the release rate of silver ions (Ag+) and resulted in robust antibacterial activity of against Escherichia coli, in comparison with that of single crystallized Ag-NPs supported on traditional graphene (Ag-NPs/G). The present method paves a feasible way to design novel Ag based antibacterial materials. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.