High-performance antibacterial of montmorillonite decorated with silver nanoparticles using microwave-assisted method

• Published in: Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology 2014-08, Vol.16 (8), p.1-14, Article 2560
• Main Authors: Kheiralla, Zeinab Mohamed Hassan, Rushdy, Abeer Ahmed, Betiha, Mohamed Ahmed, Yakob, Naglaa Abdullah Nasif
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibiotics; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Diffusion in nanoscale solids; Diffusion in solids; Electron and ion emission by liquids and solids; impact phenomena; Exact sciences and technology; Field emission, ionization, evaporation, and desorption; Fourier transforms; Infrared spectroscopy; Inorganic Chemistry; Lasers; Materials Science; Methods of nanofabrication; Montmorillonite; Nanocrystalline materials; Nanoparticles; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanotechnology; Optical Devices; Optics; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Physics; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Research Paper; Silver; Staphylococcus aureus; Synergistic effect; Transport properties of condensed matter (nonelectronic); X-ray diffraction; X-ray fluorescence
• ISSN: 1388-0764; 1572-896X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-014-2560-6

Syntheses of silver nanocomposites (AgNPs@MMT) were fabricated with different silver nanoparticles to montmorillonite clay (MMT) ratios using microwave-assisted synthesis method, and silver nitrate was used as the precursor of silver nanoparticles. The antibacterial activities of the nanocomposite were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria by the disk diffusion and macrodilution broth techniques. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by N 2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope, high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The wide-angle XRD patterns and HRTEM images demonstrate that silver nanoparticles were fabricated on surface and within MMT channels. The diameters of the AgNPs were below 15 nm, as indicated by UV–Vis absorption, which effectively controlled by the pores of the MMT host. Data revealed that 5 % AgNP@MMT nanocomposite is much more effective than silver nitrate and shows strong antibacterial activities. The efficiency of antibiotics increased when combined with 5 % AgNP@MMT nanocomposite against both the tested strains. The increase in fold area was higher in case of P. aeruginosa than S. aureus . The highest percentage of fold increases was found for Sulfamethaxole/Trimethoprim and Oxacillin followed by Levofloxaci and Nalidixic acid against P.aeruginosa. On the other hand, Imipenem increases activity in presence of AgNP@MMT nanocomposite against S. aureus . Overall, the synergistic effect of antibiotics and nanoparticles clearly revealed that nanoparticles can be effectively used in combination with antibiotics in order to improve their efficiency against various pathogenic microbes. The suspensions of the synthesized nanocomposites were found to be stable over a long time without any sign of detachment of AgNPs.