This paper provides a comprehensive review of the present trends in graphene research with an emphasis on graphene‐based nanocomposites and their applications. Various synthesis routes have recently been devised for mass production of graphene to address the needs of the composite industry. This paper describes the worldwide scenario of research and patents being conducted in the field of graphene nanocomposites. It concludes with a discussion of the impact of graphene in composites and the future challenges to meeting industrial demands.

In the present study, silane-functionalized graphene (f-graphene)-reinforced chitosan nanocomposite films exhibiting enhanced mechanical properties have been prepared by the solution casting method. These nanocomposite films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. In order to investigate the effect of silane functionalization, tensile tests were performed on original, oxidized and silane-functionalized graphene-reinforced chitosan nanocomposite films. Tensile results show that silane functionalization groups offer a substantial increase in the interfacial adhesion between filler and host matrix. This result is also confirmed by the surface morphology of the fracture surface in scanning electron microscope analysis. Qualitative analysis using Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the existence of Si–O–Si and Si–O–C bonds in the silanized composite. Thermal analysis of the samples shows that the material is stable up till 250 °C and maintains its thermal stability all throughout the process until it starts degrading after 510 °C. Atomic force microscopy reveals that the material is well exfoliated after the oxidation of graphene and also displays the existence of 3–6 layers of exfoliated graphene sheets. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies also reveal the existence of silicon in the single state and quantify the sample to be approximately around 4% (±0.5%) of the total atomic weight.

Acetone and hexane extracts derived from the root, stem, and leaf of Raphanus sativus were investigated for their antibacterial activity against foodborne and resistant pathogens, such as Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella typhimurium, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae, and Escherichia coli. Total and individual isothiocyanate (ITC) components and their relationship with the antibacterial activity of R. sativus were also evaluated. Both acetone and hexane fractions of root, stem, and leaf exhibited selective antibacterial activity against the organisms tested. Antibacterial activity was strongest in the acetone fraction of root with larger zone of inhibition and lower minimum inhibitory concentration. The results obtained were comparable to that seen with standard antibiotics. Of the different parts of R. sativus studied, root tended to be more active than the stem and leaf extracts in inhibiting the bacterial growth. Gas chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of variable amounts of five different ITCs such as allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), phenyl isothiocyanate (PITC), benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), phenethyl isothiocyanate, and 4-(methylthio)-3-butenyl isothiocyanate (MTBITC) in different parts of the plant. The low linear correlation between the total ITC content and antibacterial activity implied that bacterial growth inhibitory ability of R. sativus was not dependent on the total ITC content. However, the antibacterial activity of R. sativus was well correlated with AITC, PITC, and BITC for all organisms except for Enteroc. faecalis, whose inhibitory effect was more related to MTBITC.