Synthesis of Ta–6Cu Bimetallic Nanoparticles and the Bulk Composite with Antimicrobial Activity

The possibility of the synthesis of bimetallic Janus nanoparticles from immiscible metals Ta and Cu by the method of electric explosion of two conductors in an argon atmosphere has been shown. Consolidation of Ta–Cu nanoparticles and spark plasma sintering yielded a composite material with a high microhardness and compressive strength, but a relatively low bending strength. The Ta–Cu composite inhibits the viability of bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with an efficiency of 99.99% owing to the slow release of small concentrations of Cu2+ ions. The synthesized composite material with high antibacterial activity for a long time is promising for the technologies of modern regenerative medicine.