Preparation and Antibacterial Properties of Silver-based Carbon Nanoparticles

OBJECTIVE To explore a silver-based carbon nanoparticle(Sbc-Nps) with easy preparation and good antibacterial activity.

METHODS 4-Dimethylaminopyridine-silver complex nanoparticles(Dap-Ag) were first prepared from silver nitrate and 4-dimethylaminopyridine as basic raw materials as a precursor for calcination, and the process was used to regulate the particle size of Dap-Ag using polyvinylpyrrolidone K30; following the optimum temperature change conditions for the calcination process determined by differential scanning calorimetry, Sbc-Nps was prepared by calcining Dap-Ag in a nitrogen atmosphere. The antimicrobial activity of Sbc-Nps was then tested against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis(SE). Finally, the safety of Sbc-Nps was assessed using the HaCaT cytotoxicity assay.

RESULTS Sbc-Nps with particle sizes of 100−200 nm and highly enriched in silver elements were obtained, which could achieve better inhibitory effects against MRSA and SE at concentrations of 0.125, 0.25 mg·mL⁻¹, respectively, and the cytotoxicity of Sbc-Nps was significantly reduced by the calcination method.

CONCLUSION Sbc-Nps is not only easy to prepare, has a small particle size and is enriched with silver, but also has excellent antimicrobial properties and biocompatibility.