Synthesis and characterization of antibacterial bimetallic nanoparticles

• Grant number: 17/21036-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2017
• End date: November 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry
• Principal Investigator: Dayane Batista Tada
• Grantee: Bruna Cristina Nunes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Some metals are known to present antibacterial properties as for example mercury (Hg) and silver (Ag). However, these metals are toxic to human health. Therefore, it has been explored the use of monometallic nanoparticles of gold and silver which have presented several applications in biomedical devices, water treatment, fabrication of textile, cosmetics and products for dentistry. Nevertheless, with the advances of the research in the field of nanotoxicology, several side effects of the use of these nanoparticles have been pointed out. In this way, bimetallic nanoparticles have been explored as an alternative material of high antibacterial activity and low or absent toxicity to human health and environment. This project aims to the synthesis and characterization of bimetallic NPs of silver and gold (AgAuNPs) and gold and platinum NPs (AuPtNPs). These NPs will be characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction and transmission electronic microscopy. Furthermore, these NPs will evaluated regarding their antibacterial activity and toxicity by in vitro assays. (AU)