Formation and antibacterial action of Pt and Pd nanoparticles sputtered into liquid

A report is presented on the antibacterial activity of platinum and palladium nanoparticles (NPs) prepared by direct sputtering into glycerol. Prepared platinum faceted NPs (n = 500) with the diameter of (1.7 ± 0.3) nm and palladium faceted NPs (n = 500) with the diameter of (2.4 ± 0.4) nm were investigated. The size and shape of NPs were studied by transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, the size and its distribution were studied by dynamic light scattering. The concentration of metal NPs in prepared solutions was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The optical properties of aqueous NP solutions were studied by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. Antibacterial properties were tested against two common pollutants (E. coli DBM 3138, a Gram-negative bacteria and S. epidermidis DBM 3179, a Gram-positive bacteria). Owing to the increasing resistance of bacteria strains to common antibiotics, this study may provide an alternative way to fight these pollutants.