Sliver nanoparticles@carbon dots for synergistic antibacterial activity

Abstract

A novel composite material named sliver nanoparticles@carbon dots (AgNPs/CDs) was fabricated with CDs as the capping agents through one simple method. The images of TEM showed that CDs were embedded in the gaps of AgNPs and the as-prepared AgNPs/CDs can be self assembled into nanochains through electrosatic interaction between silver nanoparticles and carbon dots. With higher redox properties than AgNPs, the as-prepared composites exhibited excellent synergistic antibacterial performance against Gram-positive bacterium and Gram-negative bacterium in the antibacterial assays, which indicates potential application as an effective antibacterial material. And the results of antibacterial assy showed that the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of AgNPs/CDs were 40 μg/mL for E. coli and 20 μg/mL for S. aureus in LB medium. In addition, the oxidative stress induced by AgNPs/CDs-mediated reactive oxygen species further confirmed good application prospects in antibacterial.