Biomimetic Synthesis and Antibacterial Characteristics of Magnesium Oxide—Germanium dioxide Nanocomposite Powders

Abstract

The efficiency of growth of nanocrystalline magnesium oxide— germanium dioxide nanocomposite powders at room temperature was investigated in the presence of the amino acids histidine, aspartic acid, and the biopolymer polyL-lysine under varying conditions. It was observed that of the three, poly-L-lysine and histidine were more efficient and formed higher yields of the products. The growth of the nanocomposties was found to be pH-sensitive as indicated by zeta potential as well as TEM, and dynamic light scattering analyses. Furthermore, the nanocomposite powders were found to have significant antibacterial activity against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria.