Electric explosion of wires as versatile method for antibacterial Janus-like ZnO–Ag nanoparticles preparation

Electric explosion of zinc and silver intertwined wires in an oxygen-containing atmosphere was used for the first time to produce ZnO–Ag bicomponent nanoparticles. Silver content was regulated by wire diameters. The nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction. Optical properties of ZnO–Ag nanoparticles were studied by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. The phase state of nanoparticles in the range of high (12–35%) silver content has been established, which provides an increase in the photocatalytic activity in the visible spectral range. The Methylene blue degradation efficiency by ZnO-12Ag nanoparticles reached 90%, which was higher than that of ZnO nanoparticles produced by electric explosion of zinc wire. Composites had high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli bacteria.