Single Step Microwave Assisted Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Silver, Copper and Silver-Copper Nanoparticles

Copper and silver nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized in two minutes at 175°C in a one-step synthesis using a modified polyol (ethylene glycol) method and a microwave heating process. We successfully synthesized spherical Silver (Ag) and Copper nanoparticles (CuNP) with a crystallite size of less than 10 nm, as well as irregular silver-copper nanoparticles (AgCuNP) with a crystallite size of less than 15 nm, as confirmed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). The successful synthesis of AgCuNP with 1:1 molar ratio and constituted by 51.74% of copper and 48.26% of silver was corroborated using the Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) mapping technique. The AgNP and AgCuNP exhibited more stability in suspension, in comparison to CuNP, as observed by continuously monitoring the absorbance with UV-Vis spectroscopy for 12 days. Furthermore, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of AgNP, CuNP, and AgCuNP were determined, against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and yeast. The obtained MIC and MBC values indicate that AgCu nanoparticles exhibited bactericidal properties greater than its constituents. On the contrary, antifungal activity of AgCuNP against yeast was not observed.