Synthesis and investigation of antimicrobial properties of SiO2@Cu rods with core-shell structure

In this study, the SiO2@Cu rods with core-shell structure were synthesized via the microemulsion synthesis process. The effect of temperature on the particle size of silica core and antimicrobial properties of SiO2@Cu rods is described. Surface of silica rods were modified by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane prior to copper deposition. Copper coating was performed via direct reduction under oxidation-reduction condition. The synthesized sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. The results showed that the diameter and length of rods occurred in the range of 90-300 nm and 1-40 μm, respectively. The measured diameters of copper particles on the surface of the rods were between 4 and 25 nm. Also, the antimicrobial tests of samples were carried out by using E. coli (Escherichia coli), S. aureus (Staphylococcus aureus) and C. albicans (Candida albicans) as different species of bacteria and fungus. Antimicrobial effect of the coated nanorods on S. aureus came to be far less than C. albicans and E. coli. Spherical silica particles coated by copper showed better bacterial growth inhibition rather than rod shape particles.