Abstract
Copper and silver nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized in two minutes at 175°C in a one-step synthesis using a modified polyol (ethylene glycol) method and a microwave heating process. We successfully synthesized spherical Silver (Ag) and Copper nanoparticles (CuNP) with a crystallite size of less than 10 nm, as well as irregular silver-copper nanoparticles (AgCuNP) with a crystallite size of less than 15 nm, as confirmed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). The successful synthesis of AgCuNP with 1:1 molar ratio and constituted by 51.74% of copper and 48.26% of silver was corroborated using the Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) mapping technique. The AgNP and AgCuNP exhibited more stability in suspension, in comparison to CuNP, as observed by continuously monitoring the absorbance with UV-Vis spectroscopy for 12 days. Furthermore, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of AgNP, CuNP, and AgCuNP were determined, against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and yeast. The obtained MIC and MBC values indicate that AgCu nanoparticles exhibited bactericidal properties greater than its constituents. On the contrary, antifungal activity of AgCuNP against yeast was not observed.
Highlights
Bacterial infections are an increasing public health concern
This study presents the successful synthesis of Ag, Cu, and AgCu nanoparticles via two-minute single-step synthesis using a microwave-assisted heating route at 175 ̊C
Since silver and copper have different standard reduction potential energy values, several syntheses of Ag and Cu nanoparticles at temperatures ranging from 155 ̊C to 180 ̊C allowed the determination of the optimal synthesis temperature of AgCu nanoparticles
Summary
Bacterial infections are an increasing public health concern. Most illnesses caused by bacteria are associated with the consumption of infected fresh products. Research on non-thermal sterilization techniques has become the foundation of research in this field In this context, the attention has been focused on the production of novel nanoparticle-based materials with enhanced antimicrobial properties [8] [9] [10] [11]. Nanomaterials have long been of interest in various fields of biomedical and agricultural research, as these exhibit unique characteristics compared to conventional macroscopic materials [12] [13] It is well-known that Silver (Ag) is a potent antimicrobial agent whose properties have been exploited to inhibit bacterial growth and destroy the cellular structure of microorganisms [10] [14] [15] [16]. The antibacterial properties of silver and copper nanoparticles have been extensively documented, this work evidences that AgCu bimetallic nanoparticles show a great-
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