Synthesis and characterization of Ag-decorated litchi-like porous Cu/Cu2O micro/nanoparticles with antibacterial activity

Abstract

ABSTRACT Efficient and stable inorganic antibacterial material is highly spotted in antibacterial materials. However, the morphology and grain diameter of conventional inorganic compound antibacterial agent carrier are difficult to control and severely deteriorate antibacterial properties. In this research, using diethylene glycol monomer methyl ether as a pore-forming agent, litchi-like porous micro/nano Cu/Cu2O composite antibacterial carriers (Car-MNps) with good dispersion and high crystallinity are prepared by a liquid-phase chemical reduction process. Subsequently, we develop a synergistic system of inorganic composite antibacterial materials decorated with silver (Ag/Car-MNps). The microstructures of the antibacterial materials are characterized by means of various techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption. The antibacterial activities are evaluated by methods of bacteriostatic zone and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The results show that the micro- and nano-materials of Car-MNPs exhibit high specific surface area characteristics and show attractive bactericidal properties. The MIC values of Ag/Car-MNps against S. aureus and E. coli decrease from 1000 mg/L and 2000mg/L to 125 and 250 mg/L, respectively, in comparison with those of Car-MNps. Our experiments may show novel insights for the development of inorganic compound antibacterial agents.