Antibacterial [2-(Methacryloyloxy) ethyl] Trimethylammonium Chloride Functionalized Reduced Graphene...

The objective of present work was to construct antibacterial [2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride functionalized reduced graphene oxide/poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (MTAC-rGO/EVOH) multilayer barrier films by using layer-by-layer assembly under a parallel electric field. Besides barrier and mechanical properties, the antibacterial activities of the film and cytotoxicity of MTAC-rGO nanosheets were extensively investigated. The functionalization of rGO was achieved by grafting MTAC onto a graphene framework through C (sp³)-C bonds. The assembly of MTAC-rGO on the EVOH matrix not only significantly improved film mechanical strength, but also endowed the targeting film with outstanding moisture barrier even under a relative humidity of 99% (e.g., 0.019 g m^-2 s^-1 atm^-1 for (MTAC-rGO/EVOH)₂₀) besides good oxygen barrier (e.g., 0.07 cm³ m^-2 d^-1 atm^-1 for (MTAC-rGO/EVOH)₂₀). Among the testing films, MTAC-rGO/EVOH film had the best antibacterial activity, and the activity against S. aureus was better than E. coli. Meanwhile, the cytotoxicity of MTAC-rGO nanosheets was very low. Results suggest that MTAC-rGO/EVOH film may have great potential in food active packaging.