Graphene based nanomaterials for biomedical coatings

Nanotechnology involves scale, function, and composition that enable macroscopic properties with improved performance and high-value adding for any industry including the biomedical industry. The use of graphene-based nanomaterials is of high interest for electronic applications and the solid-state display industry. However, it is not as well known in the biomedical and bio-implant field. The graphene and the oxidized graphene oxide GO nanomaterials can be prepared by plasma, vacuum deposition, solid state catalytic methods, and also by solution exfoliation methods. This paper highlights work done on utilizing GO coatings and dispersions as anti-microbial and protective barriers for preventing biocorrosion and biofilm growth. Utilizing surface analytical tools including electrochemical methods it is possible to characterize their ultrathin properties based on electro-deposited and LB deposited films. They have been shown to have good anti-microbial properties against gram + and gram - bacteria and have been benign against fibroblast mammalian cells.