Synthesis, Characterization, and Antibacterial Properties of Silver, Copper, and Ag/Cu Bimetallic Nanoparticles
Zakaria Cherifi1,2, Hodhaifa Derdar1,2, Massillia Ait Radi2
1Centre de Recherche Scientifique et Technique en Analyses Physico-Chimiques (CRAPC), Siège ex-Pasna Zone Industrielle, Bou-Ismail, Tipaza, Algeria.
Abstract:
This study reports the synthesis of antibacterial nanocomposites composed of silver, copper, and bimetallic Ag-Cu nanoparticles immobilized on organically modified bentonite (B-CTA) using a simple and efficient chemical reduction approach. Raw bentonite was first homoionized with sodium chloride and subsequently modified with a cationic surfactant to obtain B-CTA. The organoclay was then exchanged with Ag+, Cu2+, or mixed metal ions and chemically reduced to generate metallic nanoparticles. The resulting nanocomposites were characterized by FTIR, XRD, XRF, SEM, and TEM, confirming the successful formation of face-centered cubic silver and/or copper nanoparticles associated with the clay structure. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and S. aureus ATCC 43300) strains. All nanocomposites exhibited strong antibacterial performance, with the bimetallic Ag-Cu system showing enhanced efficacy. These findings highlight the potential of clay-based nanocomposites as effective materials for antimicrobial applications.
