Silver-doped silica powder with antibacterial properties

In this study a simple and reproducible method was used to develop silver-doped silica powder with antibacterial properties. Silica matrices were synthesized via a sol–gel route which allows one to easily tailor textural and chemical properties. A wide range of silica-materials/products was obtained via the present route. These are: pure silver nanoparticles (Ag0), silver in ionic state (Ag+), AgCl nanoparticles, and the mixture of Ag0 and AgCl. The efficacy of these products were tested against Escherichia coli and the results demonstrate that materials that are suitable for antibacterial applications were obtained by this newly developed technique while utilizing sodium silicate, which is relatively inexpensive, as a silica precursor. This may significantly boost the industrial production of the inexpensive silver-doped silica products for various applications. A project on other innovative industrial applications of our products is in progress.

A wide range of silica-doped powders with antibacterial properties was obtained via the present route. These are: pure silver nanoparticles (Ag0), silver in ionic state (Ag+), AgCl nanoparticles, and the mixture of Ag0 and AgCl.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Wide range of inexpensive silica-doped powder was obtained.
► Products were: pure Ag0, ionic (Ag+), AgCl nanoparticles, and mixture of Ag0/AgCl.
► All silver-doped powders showed large zone of inhibition against E. coli bacteria.
► Its application may boost large-scale industrial production of silver-doped powder.