Innovative hydrogel MC/GO-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites: unveiling morphology and directorial behavior for optoelectronic device and antibacterial activity

Hybrid nanomaterials attract researchers and engineers through the exciting characteristics of mixing nanomaterials for various applications. Syntheses of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets and iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles were used individually and hybrid to reinforce hydrogel methylcellulose (MC) to fabricate new MC/GO, MC/Fe₃O₄, and MC/GO-Fe₃O₄ hydrogel-nanocomposites using developed sol-gel with assistants of mechanical mixing and sonication procedures. Infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy spectra exhibited significant interactions between the matrix components and semicrystalline presented using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Field emission electron microscopy and optical microscopy images confirmed a well spread of nanomaterials in the polymer matrix. A.C. electrical characterizations displayed remarkable electrical behavior improvements after incorporating GO-Fe₃O₄ hybrid nanomaterials compared with using a nanomaterial. The dielectric constant increased to 75% and 220%, respectively. Using GO-Fe₃O₄ hybrid nanomaterials as an antibiotic for Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria showed improvements of up to 55% and 33% compared to independently using GO or Fe₃O₄. Loading GO-Fe₃O₄ to nanocomposites showed notable improvements compared to using MC polymers and one nanomaterial. These nanocomposites are remarkable for electronics, solar cells, sensors, and biology applications.