ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF COPPER AND SILVER LOADED SILICA NANOMATERIALS

摘要

Antimicrobial properties of copper (Cu) and silver (Ag) ions have been widely studied. Hundreds of nanotech based consumer products are now available in the market which uses antimicrobial Ag nanoparticles. Cu and Cu alloy based touch surfaces are shown to be effective in controlling bacterial infection. In this study, we will present our research on synthesis and characterization of sol-gel silica nanoparticleanogel materials loaded with antimicrobial Cu and Ag. Structure/morphology and antimicrobial properties of the silica nanoparticleanogel delivery system with and without containing the active agent (Cu or Ag) will be discussed. We have tested antimicrobial properties of these materials against both gram-negative (E. Coli) and gram-positive (B. Subtilis) bacteria. Our results on Cu nanomaterials showed improved antibacterial efficacy of Cu loaded silica nanomaterial over its Cu source while the concentration of metallic Cu remained the same. Several materials characterization techniques were used to understand structure-property relationship using Cu loaded silica nanoparticleanogel nanomaterial.