Issue 5, 2023

TiO2/ZIF-67 nanocomposites synthesized by the microwave-assisted solvothermal method: a correlation between the synthesis conditions and antimicrobial properties

Abstract

Zeolitic imidazole frameworks (ZIFs) and TiO2 based composites have recently attracted interest to control pathogenic microorganism growth. In this context, two novel TiO2/ZIF-67 nanocomposites were synthesized by the microwave-assisted solvothermal method using two different routes: one pot composite (OPC) and two step composite (TSC) syntheses. X-ray powder diffraction and vibrational spectroscopy data revealed the formation of crystalline ZIF-67 and disordered TiO2 in the OPC composite, while both phases were crystalline in the TSC sample. Sphere-like morphologies were obtained for both materials, as indicated by SEM and TEM images. XPS measurements showed mixed-valence Ti (Ti3+/Ti4+) and Co (Co2+/Co3+) on the surface of both materials, while EPR analysis confirmed the presence of Co2+ ions and oxygen-related defects. The results showed that TiO2 has no antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, while the TSC has higher and the OPC has lower activity than pure ZIF-67. Highly efficient biocidal activity at a concentration of 2.5 mg mL−1 was observed for the TSC. The difference in the antimicrobial performance of the nanocomposites can be correlated with the balance between structural order/disorder, which depends on the synthesis route used, and the material solubility. The results also indicate the release of Co ions and the ligand as a possible mechanism together with redox reactions to inactivate bacteria. Thus, this work provides simple and promising synthesis routes to obtain TiO2/ZIF-67 nanocomposites for potential use as new antimicrobial agents.

Graphical abstract: TiO2/ZIF-67 nanocomposites synthesized by the microwave-assisted solvothermal method: a correlation between the synthesis conditions and antimicrobial properties

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
04 Sep 2022
Accepted
16 Nov 2022
First published
18 Nov 2022

New J. Chem., 2023,47, 2177-2188

TiO2/ZIF-67 nanocomposites synthesized by the microwave-assisted solvothermal method: a correlation between the synthesis conditions and antimicrobial properties

R. D. Campos, A. L. Menezes de Oliveira, A. M. Rostas, A. C. Kuncser, C. C. Negrila, A. Galca, C. Félix, L. Castellano, F. F. da Silva and I. M. G. dos Santos, New J. Chem., 2023, 47, 2177 DOI: 10.1039/D2NJ04415C

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