Ag and Cu Monometallic and Ag/Cu Bimetallic Nanoparticle–Graphene Composites with Enhanced Antibacterial Performance

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b08403
• Publication Date: 2016-09-28T18:42:29Z
• Authors: Anna Perdikaki; Angeliki Galeou; George Pilatos; Ioannis Karatasios; Nick K. Kanellopo...; Anastasia Prombona; Georgios N. Karan...
• Keywords: Bimetallic strip; Silver nanoparticle

Increased proliferation of antimicrobial resistance and new strains bacterial pathogens severely impact current health, environmental, technological developments, demanding design novel, highly efficient antibacterial agents. Ag, Cu monometallic Ag/Cu bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) were in situ grown on the surface graphene, which was produced by chemical vapor deposition using ferrocene as precursor further functionalized to introduce oxygen-containing groups. The performance resulting hybrids evaluated against Escherichia coli cells compared through a series parametrization experiments varying metal type concentration. It found that both Ag- Cu-based graphene composites significantly suppress growth, yet Ag-based ones exhibit higher activity their counterparts. Compared with well-dispersed colloidal Ag NPs same concentration, display weaker activity. However, Ag/CuNP–graphene superior all other materials tested, i.e., structures well NPs, achieving complete growth inhibition at concentrations tested. This striking is attributed synergistic action combination two different metals coexist enhancing role support.