DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v24i4.10

Keywords: Nanotechnology, EMT-type zeolite, silver nanoparticles, antibacterial agent, antifungal agent, support material

Abstract

The growth of bacterial resistance towards antibiotics is causing the demand for a new alternative to antibiotics. By incorporating silver in zeolite, the release behaviour of silver can be controlled and antibacterial efficiency can be enhanced. In this study, EMT-type zeolite silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are synthesized. The size and morphology of synthesized EMT-type zeolite AgNPs were further characterized using Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Emission Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The size of the silver particles was found within 10.4 to 68.0 nm with a spherical shape and the peak was shown at 301 nm in UV spectrum. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the synthesized EMT-type zeolite AgNPs was investigated against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli), and fungi (yeast) by agar diffusion method. The inhibition zone on S.aureus (19 mm) was larger than E.coli (15 mm). Synthesized AgNPs enhanced the antifungal activities on yeast from inhibition zone of 22 mm to 57 mm.