Excellent antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities of Fe–SnO2 nanoparticles as promising antiseptics and disinfectants

Zahra Obeizi, Houneida Benbouzid, Tayeb Bouarroudj and Mohamed Bououdina

Abstract

In recent years, nosocomial infections and antibiotic resistance are major public health problems. Nanotechnology should open new avenues to treat and prevent diseases. In this research work, iron-doped tin dioxide (Fe-SnO₂) nanoparticles have been synthesized by the chemical co-precipitation method. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the formation of nanocrystalline SnO₂ single phase with Fe favoring grain growth, the crystallite size increases from 13 up to 29 nm. FT-infrared spectroscopy analysis shows the presence of peaks characteristic of the SnO₂ phase. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy analysis indicates Fe doping induces red-shift of SnO₂ bandgap. Morphological observations by scanning electron microscopy reveal randomly arranged irregular-sized compact grains with sponge-like microstructure. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis (EDX) confirms the purity of Fe-doped SnO₂. Bacteria produce siderophores capable of capturing iron, a necessary nutrient. For this reason, SnO₂ has been doped particularly with Fe to facilitate the entry of nanoparticles into the bacterial cell and improve its antibacterial activity. Fe-SnO₂ nanoparticles exhibit significant antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities against all tested microorganisms; it is found that biofilm eradication of the tested strains is higher than 90%. The fabricated Fe–SnO₂ nanopowders have potential as antiseptics and disinfectants that will eliminate, kill, or inactivate microorganisms usually found on inert surfaces such as soil, walls, medical-surgical equipment, to prevent nosocomial infections in hospitals.