Effect of cationic, anionic and non-ionic polymeric surfactants on the stability, photo-catalytic and antimicrobial activities of yttrium oxide nanofluids

Abstract

This work describes the utilization of combining the properties of yttrium oxide as a photoactive metal oxide and the properties of different kinds of charged surfactants: cationic, anionic and non-ionic polymeric types. The surface charge of surfactants was found to have a great influence on the stabilization performance of yttrium oxide particles in aqueous surfactant media, known as nanofluids, as well as on their photocatalytic and antimicrobial activities. Ionic surfactants (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a cationic surfactant and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as an anionic one) reduce the particle aggregation while the non-ionic polymeric surfactant (Polysorbate 80, Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate or (x)-sorbitan mono-9-octadecenoate poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) (Tween 80)) enhanced the particles aggregation and formed a polymeric layer on the aggregates surface. The prepared nanofluids morphological structure and stability were studied by means of TEM, DLS and Zeta potential measurements. The prepared nanofluid systems were found to have an enhanced photo-catalytic performance for the degradation of MG dye studied under both UV and visible light irradiations and an enhanced wide spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria as well as fungal stains.