Enhancement of Antibacterial Properties of a Silver Nanowire Film via Electron Beam Irradiation

Abstract

Infectious diseases and the deaths caused due to contact with germ-contaminated surfaces are severe problems worldwide. Antibacterial materials based on silver nanowires (AgNWs) have a structural advantage when addressing this issue; this is because agglomeration is minimized when nanowires are fabricated into a film. Therefore, employing AgNWs for antimicrobial applications has garnered continuous interest, and increased research for further improvements has been observed. In this study, a AgNW film was fabricated onto glass by spin-coating and then subjected to surface irradiation up to a dose of 1200 kGy, using a low-energy electron beam (e-beam). This “e-beam” irradiation changed the surface morphology and chemical composition; consequently, this improved the performance of the film. The generation of a silver oxide (Ag2O and AgO) outer layer was identified over the AgNWs by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The antibacterial test corresponding to a contact time of 1 h revealed that the e-beam irradiation increased the antibacterial activity in the log reduction from 1.2 to 1.4 for Staphylococcus aureus and from 1.5 to 3.7 for Escherichia coli. Based on the experimental results and the known antibacterial mechanisms of silver (Ag) nanospecies, we discuss the method by which the antibacterial performance of the AgNW film was improved via the e-beam irradiation. This work provides a simple and swift method to functionally enhance the AgNW antibacterial film via e-beam irradiation.

Simple Fabrication of Transparent, Colorless, and Self-Disinfecting Polyethylene Terephthalate Film via Cold Plasma Treatment

“…As well as plasma-etching techniques, nanostructuring techniques for antibacterial surfaces have been studied: nanoimprint lithography [25,26], anodization [48], thermal oxidation [57], electron-beam oxidation [58], hydrothermal etching [57], and electrodeposition [46]. Titanium randomly-oriented nanopillar arrays (40.3 nm diameter) fabricated using hydrothermal etching showed high antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa but low antibacterial activity against S. aureus [46].…”

Insights into Shape-Based Silver Nanoparticles: A Weapon to Cope with Pathogenic Attacks

“…The release of AgNPs for antimicrobial activity on biodegradable polycaprolactone nanofiber mats can be controlled by laser light . Furthermore, a low-energy electron beam irradiation on Ag nanowires coated on glass surfaces induces the release of ions, which helps to kill microorganisms . LED illumination light on AgNP + porphyrin conjugates notably increases their power to be used in medical treatments .…”

“…299 Furthermore, a low-energy electron beam irradiation on Ag nanowires coated on glass surfaces induces the release of ions, which helps to kill microorganisms. 300 LED illumination light on AgNP + porphyrin conjugates notably increases their power to be used in medical treatments. 301 Some thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) copolymer and NaBH 4 -reduced AgNPs play a role in bactericidal therapy.…”

Electron Beam Induced Tailoring of Electrical Characteristics of Organic Semiconductor Films

“…The presence of atmospheric oxygen during irradiation makes high energy EB a very suitable candidate for advanced oxidation procedure (AOP) [29,62]. The interaction of EB with atmospheric oxygen creates highly reactive oxygen radical which oxidizes the organic materials along with ozone creation and establishes a chain reaction [63].…”