Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology (Jan 2018)

BN/Ag hybrid nanomaterials with petal-like surfaces as catalysts and antibacterial agents

  • Konstantin L. Firestein,
  • Denis V. Leybo,
  • Alexander E. Steinman,
  • Andrey M. Kovalskii,
  • Andrei T. Matveev,
  • Anton M. Manakhov,
  • Irina V. Sukhorukova,
  • Pavel V. Slukin,
  • Nadezda K. Fursova,
  • Sergey G. Ignatov,
  • Dmitri V. Golberg,
  • Dmitry V. Shtansky

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.9.27
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 1
pp. 250 – 261

Abstract

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BN/Ag hybrid nanomaterials (HNMs) and their possible applications as novel active catalysts and antibacterial agents are investigated. BN/Ag nanoparticle (NP) hybrids were fabricated using two methods: (i) chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of BN NPs in the presence of Ag vapours, and (ii) ultraviolet (UV) decomposition of AgNO3 in a suspension of BN NPs. The hybrid microstructures were studied by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), high-angular dark field scanning TEM imaging paired with energy dispersion X-ray (EDX) mapping, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). They were also characterized in terms of thermal stability, Ag+ ion release, catalytic and antibacterial activities. The materials synthesized via UV decomposition of AgNO3 demonstrated a much better catalytic activity in comparison to those prepared using the CVD method. The best catalytic characteristics (100% methanol conversion at 350 °C) were achieved using the UV BN/Ag HNMs without preliminary annealing at 600 °C in an oxidizing atmosphere. Both types of the BN/Ag HNMs possess a profound antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli K-261 bacteria.

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