Harnessing Metal-Loaded Zeolites for Superior Antibacterial Activity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2026.11684Keywords:
Zeolite, Antibacterial activity, Metal ion loading, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureusAbstract
Metal-loaded zeolites has gained significant interest for their antibacterial properties and potential applications in biomedical and environmental fields. In this study, silver- and copper-loaded zeolites were successfully synthesized using ion exchange and impregnation methods. Characterization techniques confirmed the successful incorporation of Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions into the zeolite framework. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated reduction in peak intensities at 2θ ≈ 26°, 34° and 42° for Ag-zeolite and 2θ = 19.59°, 32.22° and 37.97° for Cu-zeolite, indicating successful metal loading. Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) verified the presence of 3.98% Ag and 3.79% Cu in the modified zeolites. The antibacterial performance of Ag- and Cu-loaded zeolites was evaluated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using disk diffusion and well diffusion methods. Ag-zeolite (0.05 M, 9 h) exhibited inhibition zones of 12.23 mm and 11.35 mm for E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. Cu-zeolite showed even stronger antibacterial activity, with inhibition zones of 15.3 mm and 18.1 mm. These findings highlight the potential of Ag- and Cu-loaded zeolites as effective antimicrobial agents. This research demonstrates a simple and efficient approach for synthesizing antibacterial zeolites, offering promising applications in water treatment, wound healing and antibacterial coatings. This research can serve as a reference for further studies, including the evaluation of long-term stability and the exploration of practical applications for large-scale implementation.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Low Si/Al ratio of zeolite were synthesized through microwave-assisted.
- Zeolite with Ag+ and Cu2+ loading were synthesized through impregnation and ion exchange.
- Cu2+-zeolite exhibited highest performance against coli and S. Aureus.
- Increased metal loadings concentration caused decline in antibacterial performance.
- Increase metal loadings time showed diminishing returns in antibacterial performance.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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