Core-Shell Au@Ag Nanoparticles Synthesized with Polyphenols as Antimicrobial Agents

Abstract In this work, we used a sequential method of synthesis for gold-silver bimetallic nanoparticles with core@shell structure (Au@AgNPs). Rumex hymenosepalus root extract (Rh), which presents high content in catechins and stilbenes, was used as reductor agent in nanoparticles synthesis. Size distribution obtained by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) give a diameter mean of 36 nm for Au@AgNPs, and 24 nm for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The geometrical shapes of NPs were principally quasi-spherical. The thickness of silver shell over AuNPs are around 6 nm and covered by active biomolecules onto surface. Microstructural characterization included high angle annular dark field images (HAADF) recorded with a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis Spectroscopy, and Zeta Potential. Also, a growth kinetic curve analysis using the Gompertz model for Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive), Escherichia coli (Gram-negative), and Candida albicans (yeast) were carried out for Au@AgNPs and monometallic AuNPs and AgNPs. Interestingly, Gompertz analysis indicates that Au@AgNPs present a higher effect on the growth kinetic of microorganisms than shown by monometallic nanoparticles.