«Janus»-like Cu-Fe bimetallic nanoparticles with high antibacterial activity

Abstract The search of new efficient antibacterial agents for biomedical applications is subject of researchers special attention. Bimetallic nanoparticles containing biologically active metals are prospective antibacterial agents. The «Janus»-like Cu/Fe nanoparticles prepared by electrical explosive of wires were found to exhibit high antibacterial activity comparable with that of Ag nanoparticles and exceed the antibacterial activity of Fe and Cu monometallic nanoparticles and their mixture. MIC values of bimetallic Cu/Fe particles are 3.91–250 µg/ml. This strong antibacterial activity is due to the synergistic bactericidal Cu 2+ and Fe 3+ ions released from Cu/Fe bimetallic nanoparticles. Cu/Fe nanoparticles are a promising material for antibacterial protection technologies and for fighting drug-resistant bacterial strains.