2024-11-0920162040-336410.1039/c6nr05745d2-s2.0-84991045199http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c6nr05745dhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14288/10297Carbon-based nanomaterials have a great potential as novel antibacterial agents; however, their interactions with bacteria are not fully understood. This study demonstrates that the antibacterial activity of graphene oxide (GO) depends on the physiological state of cells for both Gram-negative and -positive bacteria. GO susceptibility of bacteria is the highest in the exponential growth phase, which are in growing physiology, and stationary-phase (non-growing) cells are quite resistant against GO. Importantly, the order of GO susceptibility of E. coli with respect to the growth phases (exponential >> decline > stationary) correlates well with the changes in the envelope ultrastructures of the cells. Our findings are not only fundamentally important but also particularly critical for practical antimicrobial applications of carbon-based nanomaterials.ChemistryMultidisciplinaryNanoscienceNanotechnologyMaterials scienceMultidisciplinaryPhysicsAppliedJournal Article2040-3372386074900015Q112845