Synthesis and antibacterial activity of silver-copper nano-composites formed by microwave assisted chemical reduction

Abstract Bimetallic copper silver systems are promising antibacterial agents with wider activity range and enhanced activity than single metallic systems. In this study we present the synthesis of copper silver bimetallic composites utilizing a fast, microwave assisted chemical reduction method. The method requires low reaction times and yields nano-composites with a morphology best described as nano silver decorated copper particles. Water leaching studies show that copper follows a fast exponential leaching kinetics compared to silver. The release of silver remains slow and is sustained over a much longer period compared to copper. Consequently, the antibacterial effects of the composites will be dictated by the fast leaching copper and modulated by the composition of silver in the composite. The antibacterial effects of the composite on pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium confirm this effect.