Ainun Nikmah, Ahmad Taufiq, Arif Hidayat, Sunaryono, Hendra Susanto
In this study, a new antimicrobial agent was developed through a synthesis of Fe3O4/SiO2/Ag double nanocomposites using the sol-gel method. The prepared samples were characterized using XRD, SEM, FTIR, UV-Vis, VSM, and antibacterial test. The data analysis results for the Fe3O4/SiO2/Ag composites showed that Fe3O4, SiO2, and Ag constructed respective spinel cubic, orthorhombic, and amorphous structures in nanometric size. The saturation magnetization of Fe3O4/SiO2/Ag nanocomposites decreased due to the increase in the Ag content. Interestingly, the Fe3O4/SiO2/Ag nanocomposites presented excellent microbial activity. Ag deposition on the Fe3O4/SiO2 surface enhanced the antimicrobial activity of nanocomposites because Ag oxidized to Ag+ ion to produce a toxic effect in the cells of microorganisms. Furthermore, the Ag+ ion created the -S-Ag bond chain and deactivated the microorganism cells. Furthermore, surface plasmon resonance of Ag had an impact on the formation of photo-induced electrons, which produced superoxide radical anions, •O2- generating a collapsing force that causes the death of microorganisms. © 2021 World Scientific Publishing Company.
Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Malang, Jl. Semarang No 5, Malang, 65145, Indonesia
