Antibacterial Activity of α-Fe2O3 and α-Fe2O3@Ag Nanoparticles Prepared by Urtica Leaf Extract

Abstract

Metal oxide nanoparticles have gained great attention owing to their academic interest and modern technological applications. In particular, one of the extensive materials studied is Fe2O3, which found antimicrobial and biological applications. In this context, green preparation using Urtica leaf extract was used, and the properties of α-Fe2O3 and α-Fe2O3@Ag nanoparticles were discussed with a specific focus on their antibacterial activity against pathogenic microorganisms. The successful formation of α-Fe2O3 and α‑Fe2O3@Ag nanoparticles was confirmed by UV–Vis spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman and scanning electron microscopy analysis. α-Fe2O3@Ag nanoparticles clearly showed excellent antibacterial activity against pathogenic microorganisms including gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus) and gram-negative (Klebsiella pneumonia, E. coli) bacteria at low concentrations of 35µg/mL compared with pristine α-Fe2O3. As a consequence, with no cytotoxicity to human cell lines, α-Fe2O3 and α-Fe2O3@Ag present promising new materials for combating the risen antibacterial resistance.