Bactericidal effect of laser synthesized silver nanoparticle-impregnated cellulose paper against E. Coli

•Bare silver nanoparticles were synthesized using pulsed laser ablation in liquid.•Antimicrobial activity of laser synthesized nanoparticles was tested against ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli.•Silver nanoparticles embedded filter papers were used for point of use POU water disinfection.•The anti-bacterial activity of the filter paper increases both with increasing amounts of Silver nanoparticles and immersion time.•Absolute bactericidal activity can be achieved within 15 min on incubation with contaminated water.•Multiple use of Silver nanoparticles embedded filter papers did not show any considerable decline in their bactericidal efficacy.