A study on bactericidal properties of Ag coated carbon nanotubes

A silver layer is coated on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD). Standard agar dilution method is used to evaluate the bactericidal rate against Gram positive S. aureus and negative E. coli. The structure and the chemical states are investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results show that Ag coated CNTs possess very high bactericidal rate. In comparison with the Ag coated pyrolytic carbon sample, the Ag coated CNTs show stronger bactericidal property.