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Background Growing microbial resistance towards the existing antimicrobial materials appears as the greatest challenge for the scientific community and development of new antimicrobial materials has become an important research objective. Results In this work, antimicrobial activity of silver-coated hollow poly(methylmethacrylate) microspheres (PMB) having a diameter of 20–80 µm was evaluated against two bacterial strains, Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 1305) and Gram-negative Escherichia coli (MTCC 443). The polymeric PMMA microspheres were synthesized by solvent evaporation technique and were further coated with silver (Ag) under microwave irradiation on their outer surface using an electroless plating technique. It was observed that Ag was uniformly coated on the surface of microspheres. Characterization of the coated microspheres was performed using optical microscope (OMS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. We have shown that the silver-coated microspheres were potent bactericidal material for water as they are highly active against the tested microorganisms. The results of the antibacterial tests indicated that APMB particles showed enhanced inhibition rate for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and also exhibited dose-dependent antibacterial ability. The diameters of zone of inhibition were14.3 ± 0.2 mm against B. subtilis and 15.2 ± 0.9 mm against E. coli at a concentration of 8 mg. At this concentration, total removal of both Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli was observed. The results of shake flask technique for a concentration of 8 mg showed no bacterial presence after 24 h in both the cases. In other words, the material acted efficiently in bringing down the bacterial count to zero level for the tested strains. During the experiments, we have also confirmed that use of this material for water disinfection does not cause leaching of silver ion in to the water solution. The material can be successfully regenerated by backwashing with water. Conclusions Considering the cost-effective synthesis, ability to regenerate and very low level of leaching of the material, it can be projected as an advanced material for water disinfection and antimicrobial application.

Antimicrobial activity of silver-coated hollow poly(methylmethacrylate) microspheres for water decontamination