Study on the preparation of bimetallic silver-copper nanoparticles by electron beam irradiation

Silver and copper nanoparticles are well-known as good antimicrobial agents. In this study, we reported the preparation and characterization of bimetallic silver-copper nanoparticles (Ag-CuNPs) prepared by the electron beam (EB) irradiation method. Chitosan (CTS) was used as a stabilizer agent. The obtained Ag-CuNPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The influence of the different concentrations in the range of 100–1,000 ppm of Ag+ and Cu2+ ions at the mass ratio of [Ag+]:[Cu2+] = 1/1 on the particle size and particle size distribution of the Ag-CuNPs was investigated. The TEM results showed that the average size of the Ag-CuNPs was 11.02–13.73 nm when the total concentration of Ag+ and Cu2+ ions was 250 – 1,000 ppm, respectively. The EB-irradiation method can be applied in the production of Ag-CuNPs on a large scale.