Silk Fiber as the Support and Reductant for the Facile Synthesis of Ag-Fe₃O₄ Nanocomposites and Its Antibacterial Properties.

ABSTRACT: We report a facile and environmentally friendly approach to prepare Ag-Fe₃O₄-silk fiber nanocomposites. The Ag-Fe₃O₄-silk fiber acts as: (i) a biocompatible support for the silver nanoparticles; and (ii) a reducing agent for the silver ions. Neither additional reducing agents nor toxic organic solvents were used during the preparation process. The Ag-Fe₃O₄-silk fiber nanocomposites can be actuated by a small household magnet and have high antibacterial activities against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. These nanocomposites could be easily recycled without a decrease in their antibacterial activities due to the synergistic effects between the Ag NPs and Fe₃O₄ NPs with large amounts of active sites.

SUBMITTER: Liu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5456862 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature