Article,
Synthesis of silver-cerium titanate nanotubes and their surface properties and antibacterial applications
MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING C-MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS, (2020)
DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.111051
Abstract
Nano-heterostructures of titanate nanotubes were synthesized and they
revealed a complex structure with the formation of TiO2 (anatase), CeO2,
Ag2O and metallic silver nanoparticles on the outer walls and
intercalation of Ce4+ and Ag+ into the interlayer spaces of the
nanotubes by microwave-assisted hydrothermal process and subjected to
ion exchange reactions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first
reported silver and cerium co-exchanged titanate nanotubes for
bio-applications. The co-ion exchange processes preserved the original
tubular structure of titanate nanotubes with significant changes of the
superficial as well as interlamellar environment. This study opens up
possibility of synthesizing complex, functional nano-heterostructure
with the scope of modification of the final structure, especially the
amount and oxidation state of the intercalated cation (Ce4+, Ce3+ and
Ag+) as well as the quantity and variety of the decorating nanoparticles
(CeO2, Ag2O or metallic Ag). The interplay of which, in turn, can lead
to important biological properties and applications, owing to their
ion-liberation capacity. The samples were tested in antibacterial
activity with two different kind of bacteria (gram positive and
negative), cell cytotoxicity and adhesion, and it was found that the
nano-heterostructure formed shows high antibacterial activity with low
cytotoxicity and high cell adhesion, which makes it a promising material
for further health applications.
