1：Experimental Design and Method Selection:

The study used a seed-mediated growth method to prepare reduced graphene oxide supported gold nanostar nanocomposites (rGO/AuNS). The rationale was to combine the photothermal properties of gold nanostars with the antibacterial and stabilizing properties of reduced graphene oxide. Theoretical models included localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) for photothermal conversion and mechanisms of bacterial membrane disruption.

2：Sample Selection and Data Sources:

Bacteria samples included Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, ATCC43300), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, ATCC25923), and Escherichia coli (E. coli, ATCC25922), provided by affiliated institutions. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were used for cytotoxicity assays.

3：List of Experimental Equipment and Materials:

Materials included chloroauric acid, graphene oxide, L-ascorbic acid, sodium citrate, hydrochloric acid, silver nitrate, and various bacterial culture media. Equipment included UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer (UV-1800PC), Raman spectrometer (DXR, ThermoFisher), atomic force microscope (MultiMode VIII SPM, Bruker), transmission electron microscope (Tecnai 12), scanning electron microscope (JSM 7001F), Zetasizer (Nano ZS90), ICP spectrometer (VISTA-MPX), NIR laser (ENS-808FC-C10, Shenzhen LEO-Photoelectric Co., Ltd), infrared camera (Brit IR, Wuhan Gold Infrared Co., Ltd), digital display constant temperature oscillator (QYC-2012C), high-pressure steam sterilization pot (LDZM, Shanghai Shen An medical Co., Ltd), microplate reader (SYNERGY H4), and LIVE/DEAD BacLight Bacterial Viability Kit (Molecular Probes).

4：Experimental Procedures and Operational Workflow:

Synthesis involved preparing rGO/Au seeds and growing Au nanostars on rGO. Characterization included UV-Vis, Raman, AFM, TEM, SEM, zeta potential, and ICP measurements. Photothermal efficiency was measured by irradiating samples with an 808 nm laser and monitoring temperature. Bacterial cultures were grown, treated with nanocomposites, and assessed for viability via colony counting and live/dead staining. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTT assay on HUVEC cells.

5：Data Analysis Methods:

Data were analyzed using statistical methods for viability assays, photothermal conversion efficiency calculated via Roper's method, and imaging techniques for morphological analysis.