A study on improving the antibacterial properties of palygorskite by using cobalt-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles

• DOI: 10.1016/j.clay.2021.106112
• Publication Date: 2021-05-15T22:11:39Z
• Authors: Junli Liu; Zhaoyang Gao; Hui Liu; Lingyan Pang; Xuanmeng He; Aiping Hui; Aiqin Wang
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 01 natural sciences; 0104 chemical sciences

Abstract Naturally rich and cheap palygorskite (Pal) is an excellent carrier for environmental protection. In present study, Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles (Co-ZnO) were prepared and decorated on acidified palygorskite by a simple sol-gel method to improve the antibacterial properties of palygorskite. Compared with bare Pal, Co-ZnO/Pal nanocomposites exhibited excellent antibacterial properties, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 3 mg/mL. This is largely due to the large amount of superoxide anions (·O2−) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH) produced by Co-ZnO/Pal, and the morphology of palygorskite play an important physical piercing effect on the cell surface. This result opens up a new way for future functional clay materials.