Antibacterial and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activities of AgCl cubes synthesized by pulsed laser ablation in liquid

We used pulsed laser ablation in liquid to fabricate silver chloride (AgCl) nanocubes directly from a bulk Ag target in sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. We optimized particle size and investigated the surface properties of the cubes for their Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) behavior relative to Rhodamine 6G (R6G). The SERS behavior was related to the surface properties, clearness, and morphology, i.e., varied atomic arrangements and surface energies of different facets of the cubes. In addition, we have demonstrated that our easily synthesized AgCl cubes were antibacterial with a high efficiency to decontaminate Escherichia coli upon contact. Our results can be extended to generate particle-based coatings with antibacterial properties.