Magnetic Graphene-Based Sheets for Bacteria Capture and Destruction Using a High-Frequency Magnetic Field

Abstract

Magnetic reduced graphene oxide (MRGO) sheets were prepared by embedding Fe3O4 nanoparticles on polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA)-modified graphene oxide (GO) sheets for bacteria capture and destruction under a high-frequency magnetic field (HFMF). The characteristics of MRGO sheets were evaluated systematically by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta potential measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). TEM observation revealed that magnetic nanoparticles (8–10 nm) were dispersed on MRGO sheets. VSM measurements confirmed the superparamagnetic characteristics of the MRGO sheets. Under HFMF exposure, the temperature of MRGO sheets increased from 25 to 42 °C. Furthermore, we investigated the capability of MRGO sheets to capture and destroy bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). The results show that MRGO sheets could capture bacteria and kill them through an HFMF, showing a great potential in magnetic separation and antibacterial application.