Synthesis and antibacterial activity of novel titanium dioxide doped with silver

Abstract

Pure and silver doped nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO 2) was prepared using novel, modified sol-gel method. The samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, N 2 adsorption measurement, atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), UV-vis spectroscopy (UV-vis). The antibacterial activity of the prepared samples was indicated by minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) values according to the reference methods of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute for the determination of MIC of aerobic bacteria by broth microdilution. The results showed very good antibacterial activity of silver nanoforms to bacteria strains: Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The sensitivity of the tested bacteria to silver nanoforms depends on the crystalline form of the carrier-TiO 2, its surface area, porosity, the content of silver, its particle size and oxidation state. The originality of this work is the synthesis of novel type of nanocomposites TiO 2 doped with silver and determination its excellent antibacterial activity. © 2012 The Author(s).