Novel Microbial Palladium Nanoparticles with a High Photothermal Effect for Antibacterial Applications

Novel biocompatible palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) have been prepared by microorganisms via Bacillus megaterium Y-4. It was demonstrated that ultrasonication treatment of biologically reduced Pd-NPs impart a much higher absorption in NIR regions and a better photothermal conversion efficiency to the material. The as-prepared material showed excellent biocompatibility and antibacterial activity under NIR irradiation. In less than 10 min, the disinfection efficiency for a low dosage of Pd-NPs (20 mg/L) was 99.99% toward both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The exclusive and even dispersed microbial Pd NPs display a high efficiency of photothermal conversion under the irradiation of NIR, which endows them with excellent antibacterial activity in a low dosage.

Automated summary

Biocompatible palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) were synthesized by microorganisms Bacillus megaterium Y-4. Ultrasonication treatment enhances the absorption in NIR regions and the photothermal conversion efficiency of the Pd NPs. The resulting material exhibits excellent biocompatibility and antibacterial activity, achieving a disinfection efficiency of 99.99% against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in less than 10 minutes with a low dosage of Pd NPs (20 mg/L).