Uniform M3PMo12O40·nH2O (M = NH4+, K+, Cs+) rhombic dodecahedral nanocrystals for effective antibacterial agents

Uniform M3PMo12O40·nH2O (M = NH(4+), K(+), Cs(+)) rhombic dodecahedral nanocrystals are successfully obtained using mild hydrothermal conditions or room temperature chemical precipitation method for their self-organization. The reaction temperatures and times play important roles in the possible growth proceeding of these nanostructures. Interestingly, from antibacterial testing, the nanostructured products show more effective antibacterial activity than that of the corresponding commercial products. Among these antibacterial nanomaterials, (NH4)3[PMo12O40]·nH2O rhombic dodecahedral nanocrystals show strong inhibition of the proliferation of E. coli during the whole 48 h culture period, which makes it a promising antibacterial material for practical applications.