Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of Ag/Fe3O4 nanocomposites synthesized using starch

Ag/Fe3O4 nanocomposites were successfully synthesized by a facile and cost-effective method using starch. Starch acts as both a biocompatible capping agent for Fe3O4 nanoparticles and a reducing agent for the reduction of silver ions in an alkaline medium. Samples were characterized using several analytical techniques including field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The vibrating sample magnetometer revealed that the nanocomposites were superparamagnetic. The Ag/Fe3O4 nanocomposites demonstrated a high-antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli as evaluated by means of minimum inhibitory concentration. The characteristics and antibacterial activity of the nanocomposites were significantly influenced by the concentration of silver nitrate and pH.