The synthesis of citrate-modified silver nanoparticles in an aqueous suspension of graphene oxide nanosheets and their antibacterial activity

► A solution-based approach is adapted for the synthesis of citrate modified Ag NPs by chemical reduction method in graphene oxide (GO)-water suspension. ► Citrate has been used to control the growth of the Ag NPs on the GO nanosheets. ► GO/Ag NPs composite materials show a good antibacterial activity against the Gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. ► Leakage of sugars and proteins of S. aureus and B. subtilis is also investigated in the presence of GO/Ag NPs suspension.