Preparation and characterization of the antibacterial efficiency of silver loaded activated carbon from corncobs

In this study, carbon activation was carried out on corncobs at 700 °C using H3PO4 chemical activation method. While silver coating activated carbons, a reduction procedure with hydrazine was used. The crystal characteristics of the obtained activated carbon and silver coated activated carbon (AC/Ag) were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), structural characteristics were characterized via Fourier transform electron infrared spectroscopy FTIR. The surface morphology was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the specific surface area was characterized using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller theory (BET). The BET surface area of the activated carbon produced was determined as 970.38 m2/g at a temperature of 700 °C after the 24 h of impregnation time and in the activated carbon obtained from a 1:2 impregnation ratio. It is clearly visible in the SEM photographs that silver ions are substantially coated on activated carbons. The Ag content and surface morphology of the AC/Ag composites related to the initial concentration of AgNO3. The higher the Ag content caused the smaller the specific surface area on the AC. The antibacterial effects of characterized composites were also determined to be effective against Escherichia coli (E. coli). A higher antibacterial activity of the AC/Ag composite powders was discovered to be also effective against Escherichia coli. The material could be used for the prevention of microbial contamination in different areas.