Antibacterial mechanism of Xiuyan jade mineral waste as a natural inorganic antibacterial agent

Abstract

The Xiuyan jade waste exhibits prominent antibacterial properties after mechanical activation; these properties can be further optimized through low-temperature annealing. To elucidate its antibacterial mechanism, analysis methods involving metal-ion leaching monitoring and zeta potential analysis were used. Although the activated waste cannot be easily dissolved in water, Mg ^2+ and Ca ^2+ ions precipitated when the waste particles were dispersed in water. The particle surface showed different degrees of electronegativity, which could be the main reason for the antibacterial properties of the material. This study proved the importance of the surface electrical properties of activated waste particles on their properties by observing their adsorption capacity for methylene blue. At the annealing temperature of 270 °C, the Xiuyan jade waste exhibited the highest electronegativity and optimal antibacterial properties as well as the adsorption rate of methylene blue, verifying the significance of electronegativity of activated mineral waste powders on the antibacterial mechanism.

Keywords

• mineral waste
• antibacterial agent
• mechanical activation
• low-temperature annealing
• surface charge