Unvealing the role of beta-Ag2MoO4 microcrystals to the improvement of antibacterial activity

Author(s)

De Foggi, Camila Cristina ^[1] ; De Oliveira, Regiane Cristina ^[2] ; Assis, Marcelo ^[2] ; Fabbro, Maria Tereza ^[2] ; Mastelaro, Valmor Roberto ^[3] ; Vergani, Carlos Eduardo ^[1] ; Gracia, Lourdes ^[4] ; Andres, Juan ^[4] ; Longo, Elson ^[2] ; Machado, Ana Lucia ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Dent Mat & Prosthodont, UNESP, BR-14801907 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Interdisciplinary Lab Electrochem & Ceram, POB 676, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos Inst Phys, CP 369, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Jaume 1, Dept Phys & Analyt Chem, Campus Riu Sec, E-12071 Castellon de La Plana - Spain

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Materials Science & Engineering C-Materials for Biological Applications; v. 111, JUN 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Crystal morphology with different surfaces is important for improving the antibacterial activity of materials. In this experimental and theoretical study, the antibacterial activity of beta-Ag2MoO4 microcrystals against the Gram-positive bacteria, namely, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and the Gram-negative bacteria, namely, Escherichia coli (E. coli), was investigated. In this study, beta-Ag2MoO4 crystals with different morphologies were synthesized by a simple co-precipitation method using three different solvents. The antimicrobial efficacy of the obtained microcrystals against both bacteria increased according to the solvent used in the following order: water < ammonia < ethanol. Supported by experimental evidence, a correlation between morphology, surface energy, and antibacterial performance was established. By using the theoretical Wulff construction, which was obtained by means of density functional calculations, the morphologies with large exposition of the (001) surface exhibited superior antibacterial activity. This study provides a low cost route for synthesizing beta-Ag2MoO4 crystals and a guideline for enhancing the biological effect of biocides on pathogenic bacteria by the morphological modulation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Center for the Development of Functional Materials
• Grantee: Elson Longo da Silva
• Support type: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 15/03654-7 - Antimicrobial activity of bimetallic oxides and of plasma-deposited film on denture base acrylic resin
• Grantee: Camila Cristina de Foggi
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)