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Chitosan-boehmite reinforced AgNPs prepared by the sol-gel method for cost-effective water disinfection

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Abstract

One novel method for disinfecting water is the use of silver nanoparticles. The aim of this work was to prepare a granular antibacterial composite based on chitosan boehmite, enhanced with silver nanoparticles (Ag-CHB), and evaluate its antibacterial activity. The composite was prepared by the sol-gel method and characterized by FTIR, AFM, FESEM, EDS, and UV-VIS techniques. The topographical study using the AFM revealed a clear change in the surface shape of the composite after it was reinforced with silver nanoparticles. Additionally, FESEM images displayed that the particles of chitosan-boehmite supported with silver nanoparticles are polygonal granules with an average size of 61.93 nm. The EDX analysis showed that the percentage of silver atoms in the composite is about 1.24 wt%. The results of FTIR indicated that chitosan’s functional groups have specific interactions with silver and aluminum. According to XRD analysis, boehmite nanocrystals are orthorhombic, with a mean crystal size of 30 nm was confirmed. Optical characterization of the colloidal silver nanoparticles by UV-VIS technique revealed the presence of a clear surface plasmon band, with a peak wavelength of 389 nm. The stability in the water of the prepared composite was verified by the swelling test, and the swelling index was about 11.82%. The ability of the composite to kill bacteria was also verified before and after being reinforced with silver nanoparticles by the agar well diffusion method. The composite reinforced with silver nanoparticles showed antibacterial activity against E. coli, with a 10 mm inhibition zone diameter. Overall, these results indicated that the Ag-CHB composite has the potential for water disinfection and incorporation into household filtration systems.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

  • Chitosan-boehmite, enhanced with silver nanoparticles, is synthesized by the sol-gel method.

  • The successful formation of the composite was corroborated through several techniques.

  • The composite exhibits full stability in water and demonstrates antibacterial properties.

  • Chitosan-boehmite enhanced with silver nanoparticles granules, can be used in multimedia household filters.

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Abbreviations

CHB:

chitosan boehmite

Ag-CHB:

chitosan boehmite enhanced with silver nanoparticles

BRE%:

bacterial removal efficiency

SI%:

swelling index

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Damascus University, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic

    Faten Hasan & Ibrahim Alghoraibi

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  1. Faten Hasan
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  2. Ibrahim Alghoraibi
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Both authors prepared and characterized the materials. FH wrote the manuscript, and designed the figures. Both authors revised and improved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Faten Hasan or Ibrahim Alghoraibi.

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Hasan, F., Alghoraibi, I. Chitosan-boehmite reinforced AgNPs prepared by the sol-gel method for cost-effective water disinfection. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 109, 226–236 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-023-06266-9

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