Preparation and antibacterial activity of Ag/SiO2 thin film on glazed ceramic tiles by sol–gel method

In the present study, silver-doped silica thin films on glazed surface of ceramic tiles were well prepared by sol–gel method to achieve antibacterial activity. Thermal treatment was done in the air at 1100 °C for two hours. The Ag/SiO₂ thin films were investigated through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and wavelength dispersive spectrometry (WDS). Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used for the quantitative determination of the silver ion concentration being released from Ag/SiO₂ films over a 24 day period. The antibacterial effects of Ag/SiO₂ thin films against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were also examined. From the analysis results, it was found that high temperature treated coating consists of two phases of SiO₂ and Ag based on the trapping of the Ag phase in the silica matrix. The presence of Ag elements on the surface of the coated tiles, were also observed. Thermal treatment at high temperatures caused sharp XRD peaks and high crystallinity in this system. Ag⁺ ions were released constantly and the mean release rate (±SD) was 0.104 ±0.01 μg/ml during 24 days. Coating films exhibited an excellent antibacterial performance against both bacterium.     

UV-curable polyurethane acrylate–Ag/TiO2 nanocomposites with superior UV light antibacterial activity

Polyurethane acrylate (PUA)–Ag/TiO₂ nanocomposites were synthesized through in situ polymerization. The well-dispersed Ag/TiO₂ nanorods serve as photoinitiator. Meanwhile, the PUA–Ag/TiO₂ nanocomposite films exhibit superior activity toward the photocatalytic degradation of Escherichia coli under UV light. The excellent UV curing and antibacterial activities can be ascribed to the synergistic effect of Ag and TiO₂, which promotes the effective electron/hole separation and thus generates various reactive species. Thin films with these nanoparticles are more hydrophilic after UV illumination. And the antibacterial mechanism of the UV-curable PUA–Ag/TiO₂ nanocomposites was proposed.     

ZnO–Ag ceramics for ethanol sensors

The structure and electrical properties of the ZnO–Ag (0.001–3 wt%) ceramics in air and in air with the ethanol addition are studied. It was found that electrical parameters are sensitive to the concentration of ethanol in air due to a decrease in the barrier height at the grain boundaries. Silver addition causes a decrease in the density of material due to the formation of Ag inclusions. This can be the main reason of higher sensitivity to ethanol observed in ZnO–Ag ceramics in comparison with other ZnO–based ceramics.     

Antibacterial activity of DLC and Ag–DLC films produced by PECVD technique

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films have been the focus of extensive research in recent years due to its potential application as surface coatings on biomedical devices. Doped carbon films are also useful as biomaterials. As silver (Ag) is known to be a potent antibacterial agent, Ag–DLC films have been suggested to be potentially useful in biomedical applications. In this paper, DLC films were growth on 316L stainless steel substrates by using Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (PECVD) technique with a thin amorphous silicon interlayer. Silver colloidal solution was produced by eletrodeposition of silver electrodes in distilled water and during the deposition process it was sprayed among each 25 nm thickness layer DLC film. The antibacterial activity of DLC, Ag–DLC and silver colloidal solution were evaluated by bacterial eradication tests with Escherichia coli (E. coli) at different incubation times. With the increase of silver nanoparticle layers in Ag–DLC, the total compressive stress decreased significantly. Raman spectra showed the film structure did not suffer any substantial change due to the incorporation of silver. The only alteration suffered was a slightly reduction in hardness. DLC and Ag–DLC films demonstrated good results against E. coli, meaning that DLC and Ag–DLC can be useful to produce coatings with antibacterial properties for biomedical industry.     

Synthesis of Ag3PO4–ZnO nanorod composites with high visible-light photocatalytic activity

Ag₃PO₄ nanoparticles with 50–100 nm in size distributed on the surface of ZnO nanorods with ca. 20 nm in diameter and 1–2 μm in length have been synthesized by a facile method. The Ag₃PO₄–ZnO nanorod composites had much higher photocatalytic activity toward degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation than pure ZnO nanorods, and had better recyclability and stability than pure Ag₃PO₄ nanoparticles. The Ag₃PO₄–ZnO nanorod composite with the molar ratio of Ag₃PO₄:ZnO = 1:40 exhibited the highest photodegradation efficiency of RhB (93%), which was 1.5 times of pure ZnO nanorods.     

Synthesis of TiO2–Ag nanocomposite with sol–gel method and investigation of its antibacterial activity against E. coli

TiO₂–Ag nanocomposite was prepared by the sol–gel method and an azeotropic distillation with benzene was used for dehydration of the gel. Because of gel dehydration by distillation method a nanopowder with a surface area of 230 m²/g was produced which decreased to 80 m²/g after calcination. TEM micrographs and XRD patterns showed that spherical nanosized Ag particles (≈ 10 nm) were deposited among TiO₂ particles. The antibacterial activity of calcined powder at 300 and 500 °C was studied in the presence and in the absence of UV irradiation against Escherichia coli as a model for Gram-negative bacteria. The antibacterial tests confirmed the powder calcined at 300 °C possessed more antibacterial activity than the pure TiO₂, amorphous powder and the powder calcined at 500 °C under UV irradiation. In the absence of UV, the reduction in viable cells was observed only with calcinated powder at 300 °C.     

Research of antibacterial activity on silver containing yttria-stabilized–zirconia bioceramic

An antibacterial bioceramic, silver containing yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), was fabricated by sintering for dental prosthesis applications. The biocompatibility, hemocompatibility and antibacterial ability of the silver containing YSZ were evaluated. The addition of silver did not cause tetragonal phase to transform into monoclinic phase and the silver containing YSZ maintained an excellent mechanical property. Furthermore, the sintered silver containing YSZ showed no toxicity and possessed a good antibacterial ability against both Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) cell.     

Polymer-Salt Synthesis of Photoactive Bactericide ZnO–Ag and ZnO–SnO2–Ag Nanopowders and a Study of Their Structure and Properties

Glass Physics and Chemistry - This paper describes the low-temperature polymer-salt synthesis of ZnO–Ag nanopowders and presents the results of studying their structure, morphology, and...     

Evaluation of Au–ZnO,ZnO/Ag2CO3 and Ag–TiO2 as Photocatalyst for Wastewater Treatment

Topics in Catalysis - In this work series of photocatalysts based on ZnO modified by Au and Ag2CO3 addition and Ag–TiO2 materials were synthesized and evaluated in the treatment of...     

Photocatalytic and antibacterial activity of PVA mediated Zinc–Zirconium ferrite composites

In this work, Novel zinc-zirconium ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄/ZrFe₂O₅) composite and Zinc ferrite/zirconia (ZnFe₂O₄/ZrO₂) composite were synthesized via coprecipitation technique using Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as surfactant. The crystalline structures of the samples were revealed by X-ray diffraction technique. The crystallite sizes were in the range of 50–70 nm. The morphology and elemental composition were studied using scanning electron microscopy, where the zinc ferrite had a truncated octahedral structure with zirconium ferrite decorated on it. The optical properties analyzed through diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy revealed that the samples had good UV and Visible light responses and had oxygen vacancies. The oxygen vacancies enhanced the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue studied under sunlight and halogen lamp. The vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis corroborates the ferrimagnetic nature of the composites. The antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was also examined and compared with the commercial antibiotic, amikacin, and other ferrite-composites reported.     

Hydroxyapatite forming ability,ion release and antibacterial activity of the melt-derived SiO2–P2O5–Na2O–CaO–F glasses modified by replacing CaO with SrO and ZnO

Since the discovery of 1970s, bioactive glass has been a hot topic of research because of its excellent biological activity, which makes it a material that can repair and replace human bone tissue organs. In this work, the bioactive glasses in the system SiO₂–P₂O₅–Na₂O–CaO–F with different amounts of strontium oxide (SrO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) were prepared by the conventional melt quenching technology. The hydroxyapatite (HA) forming ability, ion release and antibacterial activity of these prepared glasses were investigated and the obtained results illustrated that SrO-doped samples had a better ability to form HA in modified simulated body fluid (MSBF) than ZnO-doped samples. As the immersion time of the sample in MSBF increased, the content of HA phase gradually increased. In the same immersion time, the formation ability of HA and the variation of SrO substitution amount showed a non-linear trend, which is mainly related to the influence of SrO content on the glass network structure. The results of ion concentration showed that the formation of HA was the result of the comprehensive action of various ions in the solution, especially the release rate of Si⁴⁺ ions, which had a direct impact on the formation ability of HA. The antibacterial test illustrated that the difference in antibacterial activity of bacteria solution at different sample concentrations may be related to the high pH environment and the osmotic effects caused by the non-physiological concentration of ions in the solution. The glass sample contained 4 wt% SrO showed the minimum bactericidal concentration at 64 mg/mL. The glass samples prepared in this experiment had good biological activity and antibacterial effect, making them suitable for using in dentistry and orthopedic applications, as well as providing a valuable composition reference for the preparation of bioactive glass with excellent comprehensive properties.     

Glucose sensing,photocatalytic and antibacterial properties of graphene–ZnO nanoparticle hybrids

A simple and efficient approach was developed to uniformly decorate graphene nanosheets with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. A single source precursor, zinc benzoate dihydrazinate complex, has been used for the in situ generation of ZnO nanoparticles onto graphene at a relatively low temperature, 200 °C. Physico chemical analyses such as X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that ZnO nanoparticles were finely dispersed on the surface of graphene. ZnO–graphene hybrids were further characterized by Raman spectroscopy and ultraviolet visible spectroscopy and room-temperature photoluminescence. The materials exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity as evident from the degradation of methylene blue in ethanol under UV irradiation. An electrochemical glucose biosensor was fabricated by immobilization of glucose oxidase on the ZnO–graphene hybrids. This biosensor showed improved sensitivity towards glucose as compared to graphene. Also, the hybrids showed significant antibacterial activity against E. coli, gram negative bacteria. This simple and economical preparation strategy may be extended for the preparation of other graphene-based hybrids.     

Chiral mercaptoacetamides display enantioselective inhibition of histone deacetylase 6 and exhibit neuroprotection in cortical neuron models of oxidative stress

Mercaptoacetamide-based ligands have been designed as a new class of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors for possible use in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The thiol group of these compounds provides a key binding element for interaction with the catalytic zinc ion, and thus differs from the more typically employed hydroxamic acid based zinc binding groups. Herein we disclose the chemistry and biology of some substituted mercaptoacetamides with the intention of increasing HDAC6 isoform selectivity while maintaining potency similar to their hydroxamic acid analogues. The introduction of a stereocenter α to the thiol group was found to have a considerable impact on HDAC inhibitor potency. These new compounds were also profiled for their therapeutic potential in an in?vitro model of stress-induced neuronal injury and were found to act as nontoxic neuroprotective agents.     

Preparation, characterization, and antibacterial activity evaluation of collagen–Zn complex

The different kinds of collagen–Zn complexes were prepared by zinc acetate, zinc chloride, zinc nitrate, and zinc sulfate reacted with collagen protein. Their antibacterial activities have been investigated by MIC method. It was found that the antibacterial activity of collagen–ZnSO₄ complex is better than that of others. To obtain a better antibacterial activity, collagen–ZnSO₄ complexes with different zinc amount were prepared using zinc sulfate as starting material. These complexes were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, and atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that zinc ion could chelate with N–H, C–O, and C=O group in collagen to form the stable complex. Antibacterial activities of collagen–ZnSO₄ complexes containing different Zn amount were evaluated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The results suggested that antibacterial activity increases with the increase of zinc amount.     

Characterization and antibacterial activity of PVA–PVP–CS carvacrol-loaded polymer composite films for urinary catheter

The formation of biofilm over the urinary catheter leading to CAUTI remains an unresolved major cause of bacteremia in hospital patients. In-order to find an alternative, feasible solution we developed a new potential composite film containing polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and chitosan by solvent evaporation technique. The developed composite film was loaded with carvacrol (CAV), a naturally occurring broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent and was characterized. The CAV-loaded film exhibited appreciable growth inhibition, resistance to biofilm formation, and microbial penetration of infectious bacterial strains isolated from hospital such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Salmonella typhimurium. Thus, the developed CAV-loaded polymer composite film can serve as a potential alternative biomaterial for developing biofilm formation-resistant urinary catheter.     

Controlled release and enhanced antibacterial activity of salicylic acid by hydrogen bonding with chitosan☆

Microcapsules of salicylic acid(SA)with chitosan were prepared by spray drying method.Various analytical methods were used to characterize the nature of microcapsules.Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)confirmed the presence of intermolecular interactions between chitosan and SA.Particle size analysis showed that the average size of microcapsules ranged from 2 to 20 μm.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM)studies indicated that the microspheres were spherical and had a relatively smooth surface.Microbiological assay of antibacterial activity for SA and its microcapsules was measured using different bacterial strains.It was found that the antibacterial activity of SA was improved after the formation of microcapsules.The in vitro release profile showed that the microcapsules could control SA release from 1 h to 4 h.Kinetic studies revealed that the release pattern follows Korsmeyer–Peppas mechanism.Enhanced antibacterial activity of the SA microcapsules was attributed to the synergistic effects of intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions N–H?O and O–H?O_C between SA and chitosan.It was also confirmed by quantum chemical calculation.     

Allylimidazolium salt based antibacterial polymer coatings produced by thiol–ene photocuring

Photocurable formulations containing trifunctional thiol, trifunctional ene, and antibacterial allylimidazolium salts have been employed for transparent antibacterial coatings. The antibacterial component 1-allyl-3-dodecylimidazolium salt (ADIm) is prepared and chemically attached to polymer networks using a one-step thiol–ene photocuring reaction. Ultra-small (USANS) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements show that the photocured polymers are loosely networked three-dimensional structures with a mass fractal of approximately 2.7 ± 0.2. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the ADIm was determined to be 500 μg/ml and 15.63 μg/ml for Escherichia coli (Gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive) bacteria, respectively. Coating formulations containing 10 mol% of the antibacterial ADIm photocured on glass substrates showed strong antibacterial activity against environmental bacteria such as E. coli and/or S. aureus.     

Synthesis of Fe–Pr co-doped ZnO nanoparticles: Structural,optical and antibacterial properties

In the present work, we studied the role of Fe and Pr addition on the structural, optical and antibacterial properties of spherical ZnO nanoparticles synthesized via sol gel method. The lattice constants values increased, while the average crystallite size decreases as the Pr concentration varies from 0.00 to 0.04. The Fe and Pr cations insertion in the Wurtzite structure were also confirmed by the changes in Zn–O bond length (1.9763 Å to 1.9793 Å for 0.00 ≤ y ≤ 0.04). Raman and FTIR spectroscopies validated the ZnO single-phase formation, and the analysis suggests the existence of oxygen vacancies. The samples showed agglomerated spherical morphology and formation of nanoplate homogeneously organized, while the textural properties were affected by the Fe inclusion. All samples presented band gap values lower than expected for bulk ZnO and the lowest values were obtained for samples containing Fe and Pr. The analysis and deconvolution of photoluminescence spectra confirmed the structural defects formation, caused by the synthesis conditions used and dopants ions inclusion. The antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using the direct contact method showed superior activity for S. aureus due to the nanoparticles-bacteria interactions. The synergistic effect of dopants may have contributed to the better performance observed against S. aureus, while the Pr concentration directly influenced the inhibitory effect of E. coli. Therefore, the synthesized materials are promising to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms.     

A green and facile one-pot synthesis of Ag–ZnO/RGO nanocomposite with effective photocatalytic activity for removal of organic pollutants

In this study, Ag–ZnO/reduced graphene oxide (Ag–ZnO/RGO) composite was synthesized by a green and facile one-step hydrothermal process. Aqueous suspension containing Ag and ZnO precursors with graphene oxide (GO) sheets was heated at 140 °C for 2 h. The morphology and structure of as-synthesized particles were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy which revealed the formation of composite of metal, metal oxide and RGO. It was observed that the presence of Ag precursor and GO sheets in the hydrothermal solution could sufficiently decrease the size of ZnO flowers. The hybrid nanostructure, with unique morphology, obtained from this convenient method (low temperature, less time, and less number of reagents) was found to have good photocatalytic and antibacterial activity. The perfect recovery of catalyst after reaction and its unchanged efficiency for cyclic use showed that it will be an economically and environmentally friendly photocatalyst.     

Polymer/silica nanohybrids by means of tetraethoxysilane sol–gel condensation onto waterborne polyurethane particles

Stable waterborne polyurethane/silica hybrid dispersions were obtained by sol–gel reaction of tetraethoxysilane added to previously synthesized waterborne polyurethane nanodispersions. Two series of polyurethane/silica nanostructures with different silica contents were synthesized using pure polyurethane particles and polyurethane particles previously functionalized with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) as colloidal templates. The optimum experimental conditions for tetraethoxysilane sol–gel reaction (T = 75 °C and semi batch polymerization conditions) leading to the formation of silica/polyurethane aqueous nanodispersions were established. The presence of silica was confirmed using TGA, FTIR, ²⁹Si NMR and TEM. TEM images showed an excellent final dispersion of the silica nanoparticles in the polymer matrix when silane functionalized polyurethane nanoparticles were used.