Biosynthesis, simulation, and characterization of Ag/AgFeO2 core–shell nanocomposites for antimicrobial applications

The green synthetic method has remarkably been used to synthesize many types of nanostructures, such as nanoparticles and nanocomposites, due to simple, inexpensive, and eco-friendly ways. In the present study, silver nanoparticles and Ag/AgFeO2 core–shell nanocomposites were synthesized, using Teucrium polium extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Synthesized nanoparticles and nanocomposites were characterized using several physical techniques, including dynamic light scattering method, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy. The mean size of the synthesized nanocomposites was 90.80 nm with a nearly spherical shape, successfully silver coating by AgFeO2 shell. Density functional theory simulations were used to evaluate nanoparticles’ and nanocomposites’ absorption band mechanisms. The antimicrobial properties of both Ag NPs and Ag/AgFeO2 against different types of fungi and bacteria were studied. The Ag/AgFeO2 NCs revealed superior antifungal and antibacterial efficacy even in lower concentrations compared to Ag NPs that could be applied for biomedical applications in the future.