Preparation of AlN–Al2O3 composites exhibiting antibacterial and water purification properties

Abstract

This study aimed to develop new antibacterial and water purification materials without heavy metal contamination. Herein, AlN–Al2O3 composites were prepared by changing the content of AlN in raw material. The results showed that AlN, Al2O3, aluminum oxynitride, and yttrium aluminum garnet phases were generated by adjusting the AlN: Al2O3 ratio. The difference in the ability of AlN and aluminum oxynitride to release substances such as ammonium ions and aluminum hydroxide when reacting with water resulted in remarkably different pH values of the sample immersion solution, which led to an increase in the material antibacterial efficiency with the addition of AlN. Similar results were also obtained with zinc ion absorption. Therefore, AlN–Al2O3 composite ceramics can potentially be used as novel antibacterial and water purification materials without heavy metal contamination through the release of ammonium ions for conferring antibacterial effects and of aluminum hydroxide for absorbing heavy metals and suspended impurities.