Streptomycin-modified Fe₃O₄–Au@Ag core–satellite magnetic nanoparticles as an effective antibacterial agent

The fabrication of ideal Ag-modified magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as a recyclable antibacterial agent that possesses good dispersibility, strong magnetic responsiveness, and high bactericidal activity is still a challenge. In this study, we described a simple polyethyleneimine (PEI)-assisted connection method for fabricating high-performance Au@Ag-loaded MNPs (Fe₃O₄–Au@Ag). The Fe₃O₄ cores are first modified with uniform PEI shell (2 nm) through self-assembly under sonication. And then, the negatively charged Au@Ag NPs with a uniform size of 5 nm are adsorbed on the surface of the Fe₃O₄ cores through electrostatic interaction. The Au@Ag-loaded MNPs were obtained within 30 min, and they were highly uniform in size and shape with good dispersibility and strong magnetic responsivity. With the aid of the magnetic core, the residual nanoparticles can be recycled from solution through an external magnetic field. These dense Au@Ag NPs acted as antibacterial satellites in highly active areas for Ag ion releasing and bacteria contacting. The Fe₃O₄–Au@AgMNPs exhibited good antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of Fe₃O₄–Au@AgMNPs was significantly improved by streptomycin antibiotic modification. Enhancement of the bactericidal efficiency of Fe₃O₄–Au@Ag-streptomycin revealed the presence of a synergistic effect between the MNPs and the introduced antibiotic.