Morphology-dependent bactericidal activities of Ag/CeO2 catalysts against Escherichia coli

The Ag/CeO2 nanomaterials could induce the production of extracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Intracellular ROS induced by extracellular ROS and Ag+ eluted from Ag/CeO2 was a candidate mediator for cell death. The combination effects of ROS and Ag+ were responsible for the disruption of cell membrane and inactivation of bacteria.