Metal borate nanostructures for industrial antibacterial ceramic fabrication

Abstract

Silver and copper borate nanostructures were mechanistically synthesized for novel boron-containing antibacterial applications. Different concentration, temperature, time parameters were varied for obtaining hierarchical formulations. Metal borate nanostructures showed interesting crystalline and optical properties since temperature and concentration adjustments provided correlated shape and surface properties with around 300 nm size. Chemical analysis and crystallinity of both copper and silver formulations were conducted with X-ray diffraction and unveiled that especially temperatures ranging from 40 to 90 degrees C has a huge impact on the formation of nanostructures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis comprehensively provided all atomic compositions especially about boron atom at 191-192 eV range. Additionally, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis with scanning electron microscope measurements revealed the morphological properties of the nanostructures and showed the purity of the obtained materials. Finally, metal borate-containing glazes were obtained on 1 x 1 cm samples for antibacterial tests against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms.