Characterization and antimicrobial performance of magnetic Fe3O4@Chitosan@Ag nanoparticles synthesized via suspension technique

Abstract

This work aimed to synthesize Fe3O4@Chitosan@Ag nanoparticles by employing the suspension technique with a crosslinking agent, producing the Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) using glucose as a reducing agent and applying them to the surface of Fe3O4@Chitosan. The Fe3O4@Chitosan@Ag nanoparticles were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to determine the existence of chitosan and Ag nanoparticles on the surface of the Fe3O4. The thermal stability, morphology, and magnetic behaviour were studied by comparing the results among Fe3O4, Fe3O4@Chitosan, and Fe3O4@Chitosan@Ag with thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), respectively. Moreover, the comparison of antimicrobial activity between Fe3O4@Chitosan and Fe3O4@Chitosan@Ag nanoparticles was conducted by the colony count method. Based on the results, both types of nanoparticles can inhibit the growth of microbes. However, the Fe3O4@Chitosan@Ag showed superior results of at least 99.5 % prevention of the growth of microorganisms. These developed antimicrobial nanoparticles could be the potential antimicrobial agent or additives in various medical, biological, food packaging, and textile applications.