Figure 8

(a) Photocatalytic degradation mechanism of Congo red (CR) by rGO-P nanocomposite. (b) Schematic representation of the four main pathways underlying the antibacterial potential of the rGO-P nanocomposites: (I) the rGO-P nanocomposite adheres to and wrap the microbial cell surface, resulting in the release of porphyrin, causing membrane damage and altered transport activity. (II) rGO-P nanocomposite penetrates the microbial cells and interact with cellular organelles and biomolecules (such as plasmid DNA, ribosomes, chromosomal DNA, and mesosomes), affecting the respective cellular machinery. (III) rGO-P nanocomposite creates and increases ROS, leading to cell damage. (IV) rGO-P nanocomposite modulates the cellular signal system and causing cell death. (V) Finally, rGO-P nanocomposite blocks the ion transport from and to the microbial cells.