Double hydrothermal synthesis of iron oxide/silver oxide nanocomposites with antibacterial activity**

Abstract

In this work, iron oxide "gamma phase" (γ-Fe2O3)-silver oxide (Ag2O) nanocomposite is prepared by a double hydrothermal method combined with Punicaceae plant extract as reducing agents. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed the presence of γ-Fe2O3 and Ag2O and delafossite silver ferrite (AgFeO2) phases. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (FESEMEDS) results revealed nanoparticles (NPs) with a shape like a cauliflower plant. Furthermore, the anti-bacterial activity results presented high inhibition rates against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. The present study exhibits a new approach to the preparation of metal oxides using a facile and inexpensive method.

Keywords

• hydrothermal
• silver oxide
• nanostructures
• antibacterial activity