Synthesis of silver nanoparticles supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes via a surfactant-assisted microwave method and their antimicrobial assessment in solution

The synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by means of a microwave-assisted method is reported. The produced AgNPs/MWCNTs nano composites were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. This method enabled the growth of AgNPs with an average particle size of ~ 9 nm homogeneously distributed on the surface of the MWCNTs. The antimicrobial performance of MWCNTs and AgNPs/MWCNTs in solution was evaluated by the Kirby-Bauer assay against three bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), and two fungi, Sccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) and Debaryomyces hansenii (D. hansenii). The AgNPs/MWCNTs composites showed greater inhibition zones against bacteria and fungi than MWCNTs. These findings suggest that AgNPs/MWCNTs composites have great potential to be used in antimicrobial controlling processes.