Study on the fabrication of silver nanoparticles in Zeolite framework by gamma irradiation for applying as antibacterial agent for plastics

Abstract

Using the irradiation method, silver nanoparticles have been effectively synthesised into the zeolite framework (Agnano/Z). Firstly, silver ions have been introduced into the porous zeolite framework by ion-exchange reaction for creating Ag+/Z, then irradiated in ethanol solution by gamma Cobalt-60 for forming Agnano/Z. The conditions of the irradiation process such as: ratio of Ag+/Z to ethanol solution, irradiation dose...have been also investigated and chosen. The silver content in Agnano/Z has been determined by ICP-AES and characterized by ultraviolet- visible spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM)... The antibacterial activity of the Agnano/Z has been investigated against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli by both: quality and quantity tests. The results have shown that Agnano/Z possesses a high antibacterial property, namely the bactericide effect and can kill more than 98% of E.coli bacteria for shaking 0.5 g Agnano/Z in 100 ml of E. coli suspension containing about 106 CFU/ml. After mingling Agnano/Z with polypropylene plastic (PP) for the final silver content of about 100 mg/kg, PP/Agnano/Z has exhibited the ability to eliminate most of the bacteria on its surface. In conclusion, providing and maintaining the vigorously antimicrobial activity in Agnano/Z plastics is promising to be applied in antibacterial plastics.