PURPOSE: The aim was to design and thoroughly characterize monodisperse Fe3O4@SiO2-Ag nanoparticles with strong antibacterial properties, which makes them a candidate for targeting bacterial infections. METHODS: The monodisperse Fe3O4 nanoparticles were prepared by oleic acid-stabilized thermal decomposition of Fe(III) oleate; the particles were coated with silica shell using a water-in-oil reverse microemulsion, involving hydrolysis and condensation of tetramethyl orthosilicate. Resulting Fe3O4@SiO2 particles were modified by (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane to introduce 1.1 mmol SH/g. Finally, the Fe3O4@SiO2-SH nanoparticles were decorated with silver nanoclusters formed by reduction of silver nitrate with NaBH4. The particles were analyzed by FTIR, X-ray photoelectron and atomic absorption spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and vibrating sample magnetometry. The antibacterial activity of the Fe3O4@SiO2 and Fe3O4@SiO2-Ag nanoparticles was tested against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria cultivated on Luria agar plates or in Luria broth. RESULTS: The superparamagnetic Fe3O4@SiO2-Ag nanoparticles (21 nm in diameter; saturation magnetization 26 A∙m2/kg) were successfully obtained and characterized. Inhibitory and toxic effects against bacteria were documented by incubation of the Fe3O4@SiO2-Ag nanoparticles with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of magnetic properties together with bactericidal effects is suitable for the disinfection of medical instruments, water purification, food packaging, etc.

Institute of Geophysics Czech Academy of Sciences Boční 2 1401 141 31 Prague 4 Czech Republic

Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry Czech Academy of Sciences Heyrovského nám 2 162 06 Prague 6 Czech Republic

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