Abstract
In the present research, hybrid (AgCl, Ag)NPs/diatomite composites were synthesized by direct impregnation with aqueous silver nitrate solutions. The silver chloride nanoparticles (AgCl-NPs) were formed as an effect of the exchange reaction when silver interacted with the diatomite mineral impurity halite. Nanoparticles of metallic silver (AgNPs) were created by the reduction of silver ions under the influence of hydrogen peroxide. The content of silver chloride nanoparticles in the (AgCl, Ag)NPs/diatomite composite was limited by the content of the halite in the used diatomite. Samples of natural diatomite and synthesized (AgCl, Ag)NPs/diatomite composites were examined by using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Moreover, the antibacterial potential of synthesized composites was also studied using the MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) method against the most common drug-resistant microorganisms in the medical field: Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Klebsiella pneumoniae. The obtained hybrid (AgCl, AgNPs)/diatomite composites were shown to have antimicrobial potential. However, widespread use requires further study by using various microorganisms and additional cytotoxic studies on eukaryotic systems, e.g., cell lines and animal models.
Highlights
Many natural mineral matrices have been actively used as support substrates for metal nanoparticles, e.g., silver nanoparticles, in the production of nanocomposites with specific chemical-biological properties [1]
Wet reduction methods characterized by the formation of nanoparticles of silver on surfaces of mineral matrices involve mineral matrices being impregnated with an aqueous solution of AgNO3 and the subsequent reduction of silver ions to metallic silver
A method of synthesis of novel hybrid (AgCl, Ag)NPs/diatomite composites based on natural diatomite with a mineral impurity of halite was developed
Summary
Many natural mineral matrices have been actively used as support substrates for metal nanoparticles, e.g., silver nanoparticles, in the production of nanocomposites with specific chemical-biological properties [1]. The formation of silver nanoparticles on the surface of mineral substrates can be obtained by ion exchange in silver nitrate solution and further reduction by different methods, such as thermal treatment [16], UV-irradiation, which allows the regulation of the size of nanoparticles by manipulating irradiation. Wet reduction methods characterized by the formation of nanoparticles of silver on surfaces of mineral matrices involve mineral matrices being impregnated with an aqueous solution of AgNO3 and the subsequent reduction of silver ions to metallic silver
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