Characterization and antimicrobial performance of magnetic Fe3O4@Chitosan@Ag nanoparticles synthesized via suspension technique

This work aimed to synthesize Fe 3 O 4 @Chitosan@Ag nanoparticles by employing the suspension technique with a crosslinking agent, producing the Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) using glucose as a reducing agent and applying them to the surface of Fe3O4@Chitosan. The Fe 3 O 4 @Chitosan@Ag nanoparticles were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to determine the existence of chitosan and Ag nanoparticles on the surface of the Fe 3 O 4 . The thermal stability, morphology, and magnetic behaviour were studied by comparing the results among Fe 3 O 4 , Fe 3 O 4 @Chitosan, and Fe 3 O 4 @Chitosan@Ag with thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), respectively. Moreover, the comparison of antimicrobial activity between Fe 3 O 4 @Chitosan and Fe 3 O 4 @Chitosan@Ag nanoparticles was conducted by the colony count method. Based on the results, both types of nanoparticles can inhibit the growth of microbes. However, the Fe 3 O 4 @Chitosan@Ag showed superior results of at least 99.5 % prevention of the growth of microorganisms. These developed antimicrobial nanoparticles could be the potential antimicrobial agent or additives in various medical, biological, food packaging, and textile applications.