Zn prolongs the stability of antibacterial silver‐copper nanoalloys

Abstract

Addition of Zn to AgCu nanoalloys as a sacrificial anode, prolongs the stability of copper against oxidation which hampers the antibacterial characteristic of the AgCu nanoalloys. Copper oxidation was followed by X‐Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy without and after addition of Zn. The antibacterial behavior was investigated against Escherichia coli DH5α strain to demonstrate the prolonged antibacterial activity of AgCu‐Zn nanoclusters compared to AgCu.