LAUSR

Abstract The growing appearance of multidrug-resistant bacteria represents one of the greatest challenges in the medical supervision of infectious diseases, and requires the growth of novel antimicrobial agents. Owing to the lower toxicity and cheapness, we have reported facile development of SnS, SnSe and their bulk-nanocomposite (SnSe/SnS) for antimicrobial application. In addition, we have also revealed corresponding hemolytic activities to ensure the effectuality of their antimicrobial capabilities. The antimicrobial properties of SnSe, SnS and SnSe/SnS were studied against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive bacteria) and Escherichia coli (Gram negative bacteria), reflecting a considerable control over their growth. SnSe picturized a higher antibacterial potential against the selected bacterial strains as compared to SnS. Notably, SnSe not only exhibited extremely low cytotoxicity itself but it also decreased the cytotoxicity of SnS in SnSe/SnS nanostructure. Relatively lower cytotoxicity of SnSe and SnSe/SnS against erythrocytes affirmed their novel and systematic application as an antimicrobial material compared to SnS. Graphic Abstract