A green method to the preparation of the silver-loaded diatomite with enhanced antibacterial properties

The commonly diatomite was selected as the substrate materials for supporting Ag nano-particles due to its high-temperature resistance and low cost. The diatomite adsorption Ag+ from an electrolytic cell, which cathode and anode are Ti and Ag, respectively. After being thermal treatment, Ag+ was successfully changed to metallic Ag nano-particle. Experimental studies revealed that the thermal treatment temperature plays an important role in controlling the size and the concentration of Ag particle. The SEM, XRD, and XPS results showed that Ag particles are deposited on the surface of diatomite and the particle size of the silver is about 50 ~ 90 nm. Antibacterial tests indicated that the diatomite supporting Ag nano-particle exhibits excellent antibacterial against Gram-negative E. Coli and Gram-positive S. aureus, mainly attributed to Ag particle immediately collapse the micro-organisms by disrupting the biological function of the cell membranes.