Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles (Ag), Magnetite Nanoparticles (Fe3O4), and Magnetite/Silver Core-Shell (Fe3O4/Ag) Nanoparticles, and Their Application against Drug-Resistant Bacteria

Recently, metal and metal oxide nanoparticles have garnered significant scientific interest due to their distinctive properties and promising applications across diverse fields. This study details the successful synthesis and characterization of Fe₃O₄, Ag, and magnetite/silver core-shell (Fe₃O₄/Ag) nanocomposites, prepared through chemical reduction and co-precipitation methods. The successful incorporation of Ag into Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was confirmed through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Physical characterization revealed that the synthesized nanoparticles were small in size and highly pure. Their optical and electrical properties, including bandgap and electrical conductivity, were also characterized. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized Fe₃O₄, Ag, and Fe₃O₄/Ag nanoparticles was evaluated using Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) against pathogenic bacterial strains: S. typhimurium, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus. The results demonstrated that Ag, Fe₃O_4, and Fe₃O₄/Ag nanoparticles could inhibit high concentrations of bacteria, indicating an excellent antimicrobial effect. Furthermore, the Fe₃O₄/Ag nanoparticles were found to be more effective than both Fe₃O₄ and Ag nanoparticles in inhibiting the selected pathogenic bacteria strains: S. typhimurium, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus.