Bactericidal activity of silver nanoparticles supported on microporous titanosilicate ETS-10

The bactericidal activity of Ag nanoparticles supported on microporous titanosilicate ETS-10 was investigated. The nanoparticles were prepared by ion exchange followed by in situ reduction with NaBH4 and characterized using XRD, XPS, HRTEM, and UV techniques. The Ag nanoparticles immobilized on ETS-10 were found to be stable against leaching with a concentration in an aqueous phase of less than the World Health Organization (WHO) specified secondary minimum concentration level. In comparison with the as-synthesized ETS-10 and Ag-exchanged ETS-10 materials, the ETS-10 materials containing an optimum amount of Ag nanoparticles were observed to exhibit a significantly enhanced bactericidal activity and a longer lifetime towards microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.