Synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles and composites as bactericides

Abstract In the present study, SiO2-TiO2 hybrid nanomaterial and zeolite-TiO2 (Z-TiO2) composites were synthesized by the sol-gel method. Then, the antibacterial activity of the above-mentioned synthesized materials, SiO2 and zeolite (Z) was investigated by the disk diffusion method using Echerichia coli and Enterobacter aerogenes as test microorganisms. All the materials showed antibacterial activity against E. coli with 7.2, 10.7, 3.5 and 8.2 mm of inhibition zone for SiO2-TiO2 hybrid nanomaterial, SiO2, zeolite and Z-TiO2 composite, respectively. However, none of them showed antibacterial activity against E. aerogenes. The obtained results pointed out that these natural-based materials (i.e. Z, SiO2, Z-TiO2 and SiO2-TiO2), known to be noncarcinogenic and nontoxic, can be used as disinfectants against E. coli (an important indicator of the bacteriological quality of water) as safe and eco-friendly alternatives to chlorine.