Effects of discharge-forming gases on the antibacterial sensitivity of plasma-reduced silver impregnated in natural zeolites

• Published in: Journal of materials science 2018-08, Vol.53 (16), p.11280-11291
• Main Authors: Osonio, Airah P., Vasquez, Magdaleno R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Antibacterial agents; Argon; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemical Routes to Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Classical Mechanics; Composite materials; Crystallography and Scattering Methods; Crystals; E coli; Ion exchange; Materials Science; Nanoparticles; Oxygen plasma; Plasma; Plasma physics; Polymer Sciences; Sensitivity; Silver; Solid Mechanics; Structure; Zeolites
• ISSN: 0022-2461; 1573-4803
• DOI: 10.1007/s10853-018-2419-9

The influence of plasma-forming gases such as argon and oxygen in the reduction of silver ions ( Ag + ) infused into a natural zeolite framework has been investigated for antibacterial applications. Impregnation by soaking and ion exchange were combined with 13.56 MHz radio-frequency plasma to reduce Ag + to their metallic state for a greener and energy-efficient process. The plasma treatment of the silver zeolite (AgZ) composites did not alter the crystalline structure of the zeolite, while successfully reducing Ag + to its metallic form as a nanoparticle encapsulated by the zeolite. The antibacterial index of the AgZ composites against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli confirmed the fervent antibacterial activity of plasma-reduced Ag NP embedded in the zeolite matrix against the two bacterial strains. The highest activity belongs to the samples treated with oxygen plasma. This result is related to increased active area of contact and the incorporation of reactive oxygen species in the zeolite matrix, which contributed to the antibacterial sensitivity of the plasma-treated AgZ.