Abstract
Vermiculite decorated with copper nanoparticles is a new antibacterial material that was prepared in this study through ion-exchange process and hydrogen reduction. The replacement of magnesium ions in interlayer structure was carried out using concentrated copper sulfate solutions at elevated temperature. Copper ions were reduced to elemental copper at 400–600 °C using hydrogen as the reducing agent. During the reduction process copper diffused primarily to vermiculite surface regions and formed copper nanoparticles with a broad range of sizes, from ∼1 to 400 nm. Strong adhesion of copper nanoparticles to the vermiculite carrier makes this hybrid very stable and durable. The new vermiculite-metallic copper hybrid material shows strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus at 37 °C. Vermiculite is an inexpensive mineral that is very stable under a wide range of industrial and environmental conditions, and extensively used as filler in fireproof materials, plastics, paints and lightweight concrete, so the addition of copper as an antibacterial agent opens new avenues for the application of vermiculite in consumer products and other areas.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
