Tuning the composition of AuPt bimetallic nanoparticles for antibacterial application.
We show that bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) of AuPt without any surface modification are potent antibiotic reagents, while pure Au NPs or pure Pt NPs display no antibiotic activities. The most potent antibacterial AuPt NPs happen to be the most effective catalysts for chemical transformations. The mechanism of antibiotic action includes the dissipation of membrane potential and the elevation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels. These bimetallic NPs are unique in that they do not produce reactive oxygen species as most antibiotics do. Being non-toxic to human cells, these bimetallic noble NPs might open an entry to a new class of antibiotics.
Beijing Engineering Research Center for BioNanotechnology, CAS Key Lab for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for NanoScience and Technology, 11 Beiyitiao, ZhongGuanCun, Beijing 100190 (China).
Yuyun
Y
Zhao
Chunjie
C
Ye
Wenwen
W
Liu
Rong
R
Chen
Xingyu
X
Jiang
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D010984:Platinum / Q000737:chemistry*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010984:Platinum; D006046:Gold
bacteria; bimetallic nanoparticles; gold; platinum