Fig. 4

The representative image of E. coli DH5α responses to the Au microwires solutions. The disc diffusion assay results with E. coli DH5α cells (100 µL) on LB agar overlay. a, b Indicate the white dotted lines mark the diameter of the white zone where the growth of E. coli DH5α is prevented by the Au microwires (inhibition area). a Is a tolerant strain with b is the susceptible strain. A slightly larger zone of inhibition is seen for tolerant strain due to growth delayed. c, d Are referring to control sample of water and hexane solutions, respectively. Both show resistant strain. e Schematic illustration on the differences between the fraction of surviving bacteria for resistant, tolerant, susceptible and rapid killing strains. f Disc diffusion measurements obtained using several concentrations of Au ions and both the as-synthesised and commercial Au microwires. The bars represent one standard error