title: Zinc-oxide-silica-silver nanocomposite: Unique one-pot synthesis and enhanced catalytic and anti-bacterial performance.
abstract: We describe herein a unique approach to synthesize zinc oxide-silica-silver (ZnO-SiO2-Ag) nanocomposite, in a simple, one-pot process. The typical process for ZnO synthesis by alkaline precipitation of zinc salts has been tweaked to replace alkali by alkaline sodium silicate. The free acid from zinc salts helps in the synthesis of silica nanoparticles, whereas the alkalinity of sodium silicate precipitates the zinc salts. Addition of silver ions into the reaction pot prior to addition of sodium silicate, and subsequent reduction by borohydride, gives additional functionality of metallic centres for catalytic applications. The synthesis strategy is based on our recent work typically involving acid-base type of cross-reactions and demonstrates a novel strategy to synthesize nanocomposites in a one-pot approach. Each component in the composite offers a unique feature. ZnO besides displaying mild catalytic and anti-bacterial behaviour is an excellent and a cheap 3-D support for heterogeneous catalysis. Silver nanoparticles enhance the catalytic & anti-bacterial properties of ZnO. Silica is an important part of the composite; which not only "glues" the two nanoparticles thereby stabilizing the nanocomposite, but also significantly enhances the surface area of the composite; which is an attractive feature of any catalyst composite. The nanocomposite is found to show excellent catalytic performance with very high turnover frequencies (TOFs) when studied for catalytic reduction of Rhodamine B (RhB) and 4-Nitrophenol (4-NP). Additionally, the composite has been tested for its anti-bacterial properties on three different bacterial strains i.e. E. coli, B. Cereus and Bacillus firmus. The mechanism for enhancement of catalytic performance has been probed by understanding the role of silica in offering accessibility to the catalyst via its porous high surface area network. The nanocomposite has been characterized by a host of different analytical techniques. The uniqueness of our product and process stems from the novel synthesis strategy, the choice and combination of the three moieties, increased surface area offered by silica, and cost effectiveness, thereby making our product and process commercially viable and sustainable for industrial applications.
authors: Advanced Materials and Green Chemistry Division, Tata Chemicals Ltd. - Innovation Centre, Survey No 315, Hissa No 1-14, Ambedveth (V), Paud Road, Mulshi, Pune 412111, India; Nanomaterial Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Shivaji University, Kolhapur 416004, India.
authors: Mangesh
authors: M
authors: Kokate
authors: Nanomaterial Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Shivaji University, Kolhapur 416004, India.
authors: Kalyanrao
authors: K
authors: Garadkar
authors: Advanced Materials and Green Chemistry Division, Tata Chemicals Ltd. - Innovation Centre, Survey No 315, Hissa No 1-14, Ambedveth (V), Paud Road, Mulshi, Pune 412111, India. Electronic address: agole@tatachemicals.com.
authors: Anand
authors: A
authors: Gole
mesh_terms: D000468:Alkalies / Q000737:chemistry; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D000070098:Bacillus firmus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D001894:Borohydrides / Q000737:chemistry; D002384:Catalysis; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009596:Nitrophenols / Q000737:chemistry; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012235:Rhodamines / Q000737:chemistry; D017640:Silicates / Q000737:chemistry; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000468:Alkalies; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001894:Borohydrides; D009596:Nitrophenols; D012235:Rhodamines; D017640:Silicates; D012834:Silver; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; C005691:sodium silicate; C029773:rhodamine B; D015034:Zinc Oxide; C024836:4-nitrophenol
keywords: Anti-bacterial properties; Catalysis; Nanocomposite; Surface area