BARC Researchers Invent Bacteria Killing Nano-Silver Coating
A group of scientists at BARC – Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai has invented a new method of manufacturing antibacterial powder coated silver nanoparticles. This method is considered to be simple and eco-friendly as while preparing it – no toxic chemicals are used thus reducing the problem of unwanted release of silver nanoparticles in the environment by binding them to inert substances.
The findings of this research have been published in Applied Nanoscience Journal. THE BARC research team for this study included Debashish Sarkar, Amit Kaushal, Celin Acharya, Devanshi Khare, Jitendra Bahadur, Jyoti Prakash, Harish Donthula & Kinshuk Dasgupta.
The team of BARC researchers by utilizing the spray-drying technique synthesized these nanoparticles attached ceramic microparticles. During the process, gum arabic – an eco-friendly biopolymer extracted from Acacia tree was used, which aids in chemical reduction & binding process of the silver nanoparticles & the silica substrate.
By the use of advanced modern techniques, characteristics of the composite material were analyzed using – X-ray diffraction, high-resolution TEM, field emission SEM, and ft-infrared spectroscopy.
E.coli (gram -ve) & Staphylococcus aureus (gram +ve) was used to test the composite particle for its antimicrobial properties. It did
kill the bacteria upon administration of very low doses. The composite was also found effective as a catalyst.Silver Nanoparticles are often used as an agent to clean water in waste management plants. But dues its small size it becomes difficult to segregate it later. As per the researchers, silver nanoparticles – 5 nm in size, were firmly attached to much larger silica substrate. These large sized silver-containing particles can be easily removed by filtration, once the process is complete.
The scientists claim that the silica nanoparticles used as a substrate can be replaced with the magnetic property thus the particles can be easily extracted by the use of an external magnet.
Some of the paint manufacturers, claim to have products with antimicrobial property, but as per the scientists – silver nanoparticles are directly into the paints before applications. This process is not environment-friendly as approximately half of the of silver nanoparticles used gets released in the environment over a years time.
This article has been adapted from the original post at India Science Wire