Flower-shaped Micro/nanostructures Based on AlOOH with Antimicrobial Activity Against E. coli

Background: Flower-shaped micro/nanostructures containing adsorbent and antimicrobial agent within the same particle are a new generation of materials with considerable potential in the field of biomedicine. Objective: Flower-shaped micro/nanostructures were fabricated by the reaction of Al/Cu, Al/Fe and Al/Zn bimetallic nanoparticles with water. Al/Cu, Al/Fe and Al/Zn nanoparticles were produced by the simultaneous electric explosion of a pair of the corresponding metal twisted wires (aluminum and copper, aluminum and iron or aluminum and zinc) in argon atmosphere. The synthesized bimetallic nanoparticles interact with water to form micro/nanostructures with flower-shaped morphology. Methods: The properties of the obtained products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, adsorption of nitrogen (BET method) and electrophoretic mobility. The antimicrobial activity of the micro/nanostructures against the bacteria Escherichia coli was studied. The toxicity of these micro/nanostructures against the L 929 mouse fibroblast cell line was investigated. Results: The micro/nanostructures showed biocidal activity against gram-negative bacteria. The micro/nanostructures AlOOH(Fe) have a low toxicity and can be used for drug delivery. Conclusion: The micro/nanostructures with flower-shaped are good candidates for medical applications as antimicrobial and healing dressing components.