abstract
Submicron particles of amorphous SiO2 have been used to grow Ag2S nanophases at their surfaces. SEM and TEM analysis showed morphological well-defined nanocomposite particles consisting of Ag2S nanocrystals dispersed over the silica surfaces. These SiO2/Ag2S nanocomposites were investigated as anti-fungal agents against Aspergillus niger in different experimental conditions, including as nanofillers in cellulosic fibres. The anti-fungal activity in these composite systems is suggested to result from a synergistic effect due to Ag2S anti-fungal centres and the SiO2 surfaces in promoting the adsorption of the fungus. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
keywords
SINGLE-MOLECULE PRECURSORS; SILVER ION RELEASE; ESCHERICHIA-COLI; SILICA SPHERES; NANOPARTICLES; GROWTH; NANOCRYSTALLITES; FILMS
subject category
Biophysics; Chemistry; Materials Science
authors
Fateixa, S; Neves, MC; Almeida, A; Oliveira, J; Trindade, T
our authors
Márcia Carvalho Neves
Auxiliary Researcher
Sara Isabel Augusto Fateixa
Researcher
Tito Trindade
Full professorGroups
1 - Inorganic Functional Nanomaterials and Organic-Inorganic Hybrids
5 - Biomedical and Biomimetic Materials
acknowledgements
We thank Dr R. Soares and Dr M. Ferro for technical assistance with the powder XRD and SEM analysis, respectively. Dr M.C. Neves acknowledges FCT for a post-doctoral scholarship. We thank Prof. C.P. Neto for advisement on the use of cellulosic fibres. The authors are grateful to the general funding program of FCT (Portugal) supported by FEDER (PTDC/QUI/67712/2006).