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Surface-Engineered Graphene Oxide–MXene–SLG Composite with Enhanced Bactericidal Properties.
* 1 , 1 , 1 , 2
1  Department of Physics, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur-222003, India
2  Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur-222003, India
Academic Editor: Ingo Dierking

Abstract:

The increasing incidence of multidrug-resistant bacteria has necessitated an urgent requirement for new antimicrobial materials that inhibit microbial proliferation through physical and chemical surface interactions, as opposed to traditional biochemical mechanisms. In this study, a ternary nanocomposite consisting of Graphene Oxide (GO), Single Layer Graphene (SLG), and delaminated MXene was synthesised utilising an ultrasonication-assisted method to ensure uniform dispersion and robust interfacial contact among the components. We used PXRD, XPS, and FE-SEM to look at the structure and shape of the materials, which proved that the layered materials were successfully integrated and kept their functional surface properties. The composite's ability to kill bacteria was tested against certain strains by measuring optical density and colony-forming unit (CFU) assays. The GO–SLG–delaminated MXene composite demonstrated significantly enhanced antibacterial efficacy in comparison to its individual and binary forms, with substantial inhibition noted at the evaluated concentration. The improved effectiveness is due to the combined effects of GO-induced oxidative stress, SLG's large surface area and capacity to interact with membranes, and delaminated MXene's sharp edges and reactive surface groups that damage bacterial cells. The composite's multifunctional surface structure makes it easier to break down membranes, interfere with metabolism, and cause oxidative damage, all of which work together to make it more effective against bacteria. These results show that created 2D heterostructures could be useful as antimicrobial agents. They also give us a good starting point for creating nanomaterials that are suited to certain surfaces for use in healthcare, sanitation, and environmental protection.

Keywords: bacteria, ternary nanocomposite, colony-forming unit, 2D heterostructures
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