Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of GNP-Tannic Acid-Ag nanocomposite and their epoxy-based coatings [Log9 Materials, a C-CAMP startup]

In order to deal with the challenge of biofilms and its associated infections, it is important to develop some efficient methodology which prevents the formation of biofilms over the surfaces. Herein, we have successfully developed an antibacterial and antibiofilm composite using non-toxic and hydrophobic nanomaterial, graphene nanoplatelets, via facile two step methodology including functionalization and subsequent hydrothermal treatment. The as-prepared composites were characterized using FE-SEM, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy to obtain morphological, compositional and structural details. In addition, the antibacterial efficiency of these composites was investigated against antibiotic resistant S. aureus and E. coli. Afterwards, graphene composite based epoxy coatings were prepared on glass substrate and tested for their antibiofilm efficiency against methicillin resistant S. aureus strain. The abundant presence of hydroxyl groups over the surface due to tannic acid, hydrophobicity of graphene and epoxy and remarkable antibacterial efficiency of tannic acid (TA), silver (Ag) and graphene synergistically enhance the antibiofilm efficiency of such coatings. This work presents a new strategy to develop a multifunctional coating and subsequently lessen the risk of biofilm assisted infections.