Production and properties of composite nanoparticles (CuxMe1–x)O

• Main Authors: Kondranova, A. M., Lozhkomoev, A. S., Kazantsev, S. O., Pervikov, A. V., Fomenko, A. N., Bakina, O. V.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antiinfectives and antibacterials; Antimicrobial agents; Copper; Copper oxides; E coli; Nanoparticles; Silver; Single wires; Staphylococcus infections; Toxicity; Zeta potential; Zinc oxide
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/1.5132035

Using the electrical explosion of two wires in the oxygen-containing atmosphere, the authors have produced (CuxMe1–x)O nanoparticles, where Me is Zn or Ag. Their physicochemical characteristics, antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity have been studied. It has been found that synthesized nanoparticles (CuxMe1–x)O have similar sizes (80– 110 nm) and a positive zeta potential of about 20 mV. The particles are mostly spherical or near-spherical. The elemental analysis of the nanoparticles (Cu0.50Zn0.50)O shows that copper and zinc are unevenly distributed over the volume of nanoparticles, and form ZnO and CuO. The nanoparticles (Cu0.48Ag0.52)O are represented by Cu2O, CuO phases and metallic silver. The components are also unevenly distributed among the particles. By studying the antimicrobial activity of the samples obtained with respect to Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and a clinical strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA ATCC 43300, the authors have found that composite nanoparticles more effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria than particles produced by electrical explosion of single wires (Cu, Zn, Ag) under similar conditions.