Facile fabrication of graphene oxide loaded with silver nanoparticles as antifungal materials

Graphene oxide loaded silver nanoparticles (GO-Ag) were synthesized using a simple method. Our evidence showed that silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were successfully loaded on the surface of graphene oxide sheets. The antifungal property of GO-Ag composites was investigated. The results revealed that the obtained GO-Ag composites exhibit enhanced antifungal property in comparison with that of Ag NPs. The toxicity of GO-Ag and Ag NPs were systematically evaluated. The study of cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase, reactive oxygen species, apoptosis/necrosis and hemolysis revealed that GO-Ag composites have lower cytotoxicity and better blood compatibility than Ag NPs. Therefore, these findings provide nanotoxicological information regarding GO-Ag composites which may be alternative antifungal materials in their application of biomedical fields.