Fabrication of cryptomelane FexMn1-xO2 with enhanced antibacterial activity and specific heat capacity

In recent years, the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria has compelled the scientific community to develop new class of antibiotics with improved efficiency. In this work, we synthesized cryptomelane type FexMn1-xO2 (for x = 0.00, 0.04, 0.08, 0.12) nanowires and performed an in-vitro study of the antibacterial activity against multidrug resistant (MDR) S. aureus (G-positive) and Extensively Drug-Resistant (XDR) S. Typhi (G-negative) strains. The samples were successfully prepared by using a simple hydrothermal method and their structural, morphological, optical and thermal properties were investigated by a range of comprehensive analytical tools. The variation of Fe concentration in the host lattice significantly influenced the physicochemical properties of the cryptomelane. The antimicrobial screenings indicated that increasing the fraction of Fe from x = 0.00 to 0.12 also increases the inhibitory zones. A maximum inhibitory zone of 25 mm for S. Typhi and 23 mm for S. aureus was observed. The antibacterial results, evaluated through the agar well-diffusion method, suggested that cryptomelane FexMn1-xO2 nanowires are remarkably efficient against both types of resistant bacterial strains and could be used for food preservation and biomedical applications. •Cryptomelane FexMn1-xO2 nanowires are synthesized.•Their structural, morphological, optical and thermal properties are investigated.•An In-vitro study of antibacterial activity of S. aureus and S. Typhi is performed.•Improved antibacterial activity and specific heat capacity is observed.