The antibacterial properties of Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles embedded in silane sol–gel matrix

Abstract

In this study, the antimicrobial effect of Ag NPs doped TiO₂ nanoparticles (Ag/TiO₂ NPs) embedded in (3-mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane (MPTS) and tetraethylortho silicate (TEOS) (TEOS–MPTS–Ag/TiO₂ NPs) was investigated. The morphology of Ag/TiO₂ was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, respectively. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was taken to probe the MPTS–TEOS sol–gel. Disc diffusion assay showed that TEOS–MPTS–Ag/TiO₂ nanocomposites had stronger antibacterial activity than Ag/TiO₂ NPs and Ag NPs, but Ag/TiO₂ NPs displayed a stronger antibacterial activity by MIC and MBC methods. Furthermore, the induced couple plasma method indicated that Ag⁺ were not released from the nanocomposite and disc diffusion method confirmed that silver nanocomposites were active against the bacterial species after 21 days exposure to water. In general, these results revealed that the new silver polymeric nanocomposite could be a low releasing nanocomposite with excellent antibacterial activity.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876107016301766