Synthesis of Polymer-Stabilized Silver-Iron Oxide Nanocomposite for Antibacterial Application

Abstract

Sol-gel-combustion synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) having reduced chemical toxicity have been focused globally and become an essential component of nanotechnology recently. In this study, silver-iron oxide nanocomposite (SICs) was synthesized by sol-gel combustion from PVA via a chemical, economic, and eco-friendly strategy. The presence of SICs were visually indicated by the color changes from light orange to light gray color. The sol-gel combustion synthesized SICs were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis/DRS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), photo luminesce (PL) and scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray (SEM–EDX) instruments. SIC FTIR result revealed functional groups that were analogous to PVA, which reduced and stabilized the nanocomposite. X-ray diffraction was signifying the crystal structure and the average crystallite size of SIC powder around 34.55 - 41.63 nm. The independent peak for both Ag and Fe2O3 crystals on the XRD pattern analysis without peak shift confirms the dominance of Schottky junction formation. Pure iron oxide obtained at 390 ℃. In Photoluminescence result the slight blue shift for the composites over Fe2O3 is probably due to the Ag-independent peak. Antibacterial efficacy of the sol-gel combustion synthesized (uncalcined) SIC against bacterial pathogens was assessed. In addition, 15SIC exhibited broad spectrum activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus Pyogenes, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with inhibition zones at 100 mg/mL of 18.3 ± 0.6, 22 ± 0.5, 21.6 ± 0.8 and 22.6 ± 0.3 mm, respectively. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22.6) have shown maximum zone of inhibition and while least activity was seen against S. aureus. The 15SIC showed promising antibacterial action against human bacterial pathogens, making them useful in the medical field. The synthesized NC have great activity on gram negative bacteria than gram positive bacteria.