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.