Synthesis and Investigation of Antimicrobial Activity of Cu 2 O Nanoparticles/Zeolite

Abstract

Cuprous oxide (Cu 2 O) nanoparticles in zeolite A were synthesized by two steps: (i) ion-exchange of copper ions into the zeolite and (ii) reduction of copper ions in cages of the zeolite by hydrazine hydrate in base medium. The Cu 2 O nanoparticles/zeolite product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The particle size of Cu 2 O nanoparticles was of 40 nm. The antibacterial activity of the as-synthesized Cu 2 O nanoparticles/zeolite against Escherichia coli was also investigated. Cu 2 O NPs/zeolite product can be favorably produced on large scale for water treatment and agricultural application as antimicrobial agent.