Enhanced Antibacterial Activity at Ag-Cu Nanojunctions: Unveiling the Mechanism with Simple Surfaces of CuNPs-on-Ag Films.

ABSTRACT: Deposition of CuNPs on silver film gives rise to the formation of active Ag-Cu interfaces leading to dramatic enhancements in antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) analyses reveal that CuNPs are covered in a thin Cu₂O shell, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements (XPS) reveal that the Ag film samples contain significant amounts of Ag₂O. XPS analyses show that the deposition of CuNPs on Ag films leads to the formation of a photoactive Ag₂O-Cu₂O heterostructure. Following a Z-scheme mechanism, electrons from the conduction band of Ag₂O recombine with photogenerated holes from the valence band of Cu₂O. Co

SUBMITTER: Li W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10536021 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature