Facile synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of nanostructured palladium loaded silicon carbide

In this work, noble metal (Palladium) loaded silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized using a single step synthetic route and its antibacterial action against gram-negative (E. coli) and gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria have been investigated. The structural and morphological characterizations of pure SiC and Palladium (Pd) loaded SiC nanoparticles were carried out by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Elemental mapping and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The characterizations results offer substantial proof that the SiC surface was successfully decorated by Pd. Furthermore the EDS analysis reveals that the product contained Pd as well as W and O, thus reaffirming the production of Pd loaded SiC nanoparticles. The MICs and MBCs values examined by standard agar dilution methods show that MICs and MBCs values of pure SiC were > 16 and > 32 mg/ml, respectively against E. coli and S. aureus, whereas Pd loaded SiC nanoparticles exhibited MIC and MBC value of 4 mg/ml and 8 mg/ml, respectively. The morphological and structural alterations caused by SiC and Pd loaded SiC nanoparticles on E. coli and S. aureus cells were further investigated by SEM analysis. A noteworthy improvement in antibacterial performance was observed, when E. coli and S. aureus cells were exposed to Palladium (Pd) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded silicon carbide (SiC). The results obtained show a significant impact by loading Pd on SiC in the deactivation of microorganisms in vitro.