Nanomaterials with high antibacterial activity and low cytotoxicity have attracted extensive attention from scientists. In this study, europium (III) hydroxide (Eu(OH)
3)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposites were synthesized using a rapid, one-step method, and their antibacterial activity against
Escherichia coli (
E.
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Nanomaterials with high antibacterial activity and low cytotoxicity have attracted extensive attention from scientists. In this study, europium (III) hydroxide (Eu(OH)
3)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposites were synthesized using a rapid, one-step method, and their antibacterial activity against
Escherichia coli (
E. coli) was investigated using the synergistic effect of the antibacterial activity between Eu and graphene oxide (GO). The Eu(OH)
3/RGO nanocomposites were prepared using a microwave-assisted synthesis method and characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Raman sprectroscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed the pure hexagonal phase structure of the nanocomposites. Further, the antibacterial properties of Eu(OH)
3/RGO were investigated using the minimum inhibitory concentration assay, colony counting method, inhibition zone diameter, and optical density measurements. The results revealed that the Eu(OH)
3/RGO exhibited a superior inhibition effect against
E. coli and a larger inhibition zone diameter compared to RGO and Eu(OH)
3. Further, the reusability test revealed that Eu(OH)
3/RGO nanocomposite retained above 98% of its bacterial inhibition effect after seven consecutive applications. The high antibacterial activity of the Eu(OH)
3/RGO nanocomposite could be attributed to the release of Eu
3+ ions from the nanocomposite and the sharp edge of RGO. These results indicated the potential bactericidal applications of the Eu(OH)
3/RGO nanocomposite.
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