Biologically Active Cu/Ag Core–Shell Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties

Bimetallic Cu/Ag nanoparticles with a controlled shape and size were obtained by chemical reduction. According to scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy data, core–shell type particles composed of a silver coating on the surface of copper nanoparticles were formed at n (Cu 2+ /Ag + ) = 0.33 mol/mol. It was shown that bimetallic Cu/Ag nanoparticles have higher thermal stability than monometallic Cu and Ag nanoparticles taken separately. The bimetallic nanoparticles were found to exhibit antimicrobial activity against some pathogenic microorganisms, which is of interest for the development of medicinal agents.