The primary purpose of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of functionalized single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) using an extract of the herb, Hempedu bumi. H bumi extract and H bumi extract complexed SWNT were evaluated for biological activities against Bacillus sp., (pathogen) Escherichia coli (opportunistic pathogen), and Aspergillus niger (pathogen). The formation of inhibition zones of these 3 microbes was measured to be evident for the functionalized SWNT with H bumi. Further, morphological and structural analyses were conducted to investigate the functionalized SWNT with H bumi using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, well supporting the intact and crystalline nature of the SWNT. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy result shows the highest peak at 3371.48 cm−1, representing an andrographolide group from the plant extract. An apparent clear zone has been noticed with SWNT conjugated H bumi extract, displaying a zone of inhibition larger than 1.0 cm against the tested microbes. The results indicate that SWNT has the potential for use as a carrier of components from plant extracts.
