Synthesis and potential applications of silver-porous aluminium oxide nanocomposites as prospective antiseptics and bactericides

J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2017 Mar;28(3):40. doi: 10.1007/s10856-016-5841-z. Epub 2017 Jan 31.

Abstract

Alumina micro-spheres with mesoporous structure called porous aluminium oxide (POA) were prepared through a hydrothermal method using Al2(SO4)3·18H2O followed by a thermal decomposition process. Silver nanocomposites of POA (Ag/POAs) with high biochemical activity were synthesized by sorption of silver nanoparticles in the matrix of POA. Synthesis of Ag/POAs using photochemical reduction enables the producing silver nanoparticles preventing their aggregation. Ag/POAs demonstrated a stronger bactericidal activity than POA. The colony-forming ability of Escherichia coli was completely lost in 1 day on Ag/POAs at silver nanoparticles concentration of 0.241 ppm. Staphylococcus epidermidis displayed higher tolerance to Ag/POAs at all silver nanoparticles concentrations, the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis was stopped at concentration of 0.374 ppm. The bactericidal activity of Ag/POAs against bacteria in drinking water was found to be highly effective, the growth of bacteria was completely lost in 1 day at silver nanoparticles concentration of 0.108 ppm.

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum Oxide / chemistry*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local / chemistry*
  • Drinking Water
  • Drug Design
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects*
  • Materials Testing
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry*
  • Porosity
  • Silver / chemistry*
  • Staphylococcus epidermidis / drug effects*
  • Water Microbiology
  • Water Purification / methods

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local
  • Drinking Water
  • Silver
  • Aluminum Oxide