Ag-doped antibacterial porous materials with slow release of silver ions

The inorganic-organic hybrids of polyethyleneglycol (PEG), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and triethyl phosphate (TEP) doped by silver ions were prepared by sol-gel method. After molding and heating at 600 degrees C to remove organic components, porous Ag-P2O5-SiO2 monoliths were obtained. Thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), infrared spectra, ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) spectra and pore structure of the samples were measured to show that organic components and residual water could be removed by a heat-treatment up to 600 degrees C and the mesopores with 6 nm pore diameter were formed. Specific surface area and pore volume of the samples were adjusted with different contents of TEP in the starting composition. Ag+ ions could be stably released into water at 30 degrees C up to 28 days. Antibacterial experiment showed that such materials treated at 600 degrees C could restrain Escherichia coli effectively. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.