Facile synthesis of water soluble silver ferrite (AgFeO2) nanoparticles and their biological application as antibacterial agents

Abstract

The syntheses and antibacterial activity of AgFeO₂ and AgFO₂ modified polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are reported. The antibacterial activity is investigated against different pathogenic bacteria for possible water treatment applications. The antibacterial activities are quantified by counting the colonies formed in a petri dish, a method called plate counting, and by measuring the turbidity using optical density at wavelength 600 nm (OD₆₀₀). AgFeO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) offer high antibacterial efficiency and can be easily separated from the solution using a small magnetic bar. The data revealed that higher concentrations led to high potency. PEG not only improves the biocompatibility of AgFeO₂ by mitigating the cytotoxicity of the core but also improves the dispersion of the AgFeO₂ NPs. Because of their superior cytotoxicity and magnetic property, this antibacterial material may have great potential in biomedical applications in the near future.