Preparation, Characterization and Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activity of Ag Nanoparticles Embedded in Transparent Oxide Matrices
Source abstract
Abstract
Daily exposure to contaminated environments and surfaces leads to serious health issues, increasing healthcare costs. Active materials that act against pathogens can effectively prevent their proliferation and contribute to increased protection against infections. In this contribution, nanostructured thin films containing silver are investigated, using SiO2 and TiO2 as transparent matrices to embed the Ag atoms. The thin transparent films were obtained via magnetron sputtering, using HiPIMS for Ag deposition and RF sputtering for oxides, in either an Ar or Ar/O2 environment. Atomic Force Microscopy provided information on coating topography and the thin films’ preferential growth on the textured polymer foil, X-Ray Diffraction highlighted the structural difference between different versions, Ultraviolet–Visible–Near-Infrared spectroscopy proved the thin films’ optical quality and their transparency and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy revealed the composition changes for different processes. The effect of O2 addition is analyzed and compared in terms of changes induced on the properties of the thin films. Following 24 h of incubation in a media containing 104 CFU/mL Escherichia coli, the TiO2+Ag sample with O2 addition showed the highest antibacterial effectiveness, as indicated by the largest inhibition zone. Experiments on selective media showed a hierarchy of efficiency, namely, TiO2+Ag+O2 > TiO2+Ag > SiO2+Ag.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications · Advanced Nanomaterials in Catalysis · Graphene and Nanomaterials Applications
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Fundamental, Prophylactic and Clinical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University of Brasov, 56 Nicolae Balcescu, 500019 Brasov, Romania
Research Center for Fundamental Research and Prevention Strategies in Medicine, Research and Development Institute, Transilvania University of Brasov, 10 Institutului, St., 500484 Brasov, Romania
National Institute for Research and Development in Optoelectronics INOE 2000, 409 Atomistilor St., 077125 Magurele, Romania
Department of Biochemistry, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroilor Sanitari Bdv., 020021 Bucharest, Romania
Department of Medical and Surgical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University of Brasov, 56 Nicolae Balcescu, 500019 Brasov, Romania
Funding
Romanian Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization, CCCDI-UEFISCDI · PNCDI III, Core Program of the National Institute for R&D in Optoelectronics INOE 2000 Project No. PN 23 05 · The Transilvania University of Brasov
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