Improved antibacterial activity of 3D wrinkled graphene oxide films implemented with irreversibly shrinkable shape-memory polymer substrates

Abstract

Increasing drug resistance to bacteria and emerging infectious diseases pose severe challenges to public health preservation. Recently, investigations on excellent antibacterial activity utilizing the unique mechanical, electrical, and surface properties of graphene-based materials have attracted attention. The antibacterial mechanism of these materials has been known as physical damage caused by a direct contact between the sharp edges of graphene and bacterial membrane and additional chemical interactions that induce oxidative stress by charge transfer and reactive oxygen species generation. In this study, we suggest a straightforward strategy that represents a viable route to develop bacterial filtration materials via a simple manufacturing process. Three-dimensionally arranged graphene oxide (GO) films were crafted with various wrinkled geometries using a shrinkable shape memory polymer substrate, and the antibacterial activity of these films was investigated. The main results were derived from the physical damage to the bacterial cell membranes, resulting in superoxide anion-independent oxidation that renders the cell incapacitated in constraint contact with 3D wrinkled GO films. For practical use, the antibacterial film was installed inside the humidifier as a small-scale module to test its stable and excellent antibacterial properties. These alternative antibacterial materials that are harmless to human health were verified. Indeed, these results indicate improved antibacterial activity on the hybrid type of Ag nanowire-embedded GO film in the module-component application of antibacterial humidifiers. Therefore, the proposed concept of an antibacterial system is expected to improve the health and quality of daily life based on its stable and excellent antibacterial properties.