Tate E., Johnston J.H.
Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, NZ
Keywords: composite, photocatalytic, polymer, silver halide
Recently it has been shown that hybrid silver/silver halide nanoparticles exhibit interesting photocatalytic properties, and are known plasmonic photocatalysts. Enhanced photostability and photocatalysis are observed in the nanoparticles due to the surface plasmon resonance of noble metal nanodomains on the surface of the silver halide. Novel silver/silver halide nanocomposite materials were produced by forming silver/silver halide nanoparticles in the polymer support materials of nylon 6,6 and polyurethane, through the development of a simple aqueous synthesis method followed by UV light exposure. This method incorporated silver/silver halide nanoparticles without modifying the structure of the support material. UV-Visible spectroscopy, XRD, SEM and EDS were used to characterise the silver/silver halide nanoparticles and their distribution within the nanocomposites. The photocatalytic activity of the silver/silver halide nanocomposites was evaluated by the photodegradation of methylene blue, and was seen to retain the enhanced photocatalytic activity displayed by silver/silver halide plasmonic photocatalysts. The nanocomposite materials were also seen to display significant antimicrobial action against E. Coli. These novel composite materials have applications in self-cleaning and antimicrobial surfaces, where the photocatalytic mechanism is effective in the reduction of organic contaminants and volatile organic compounds, whilst the Ag+ simultaneously imparts antimicrobial action.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Nanotechnology 2014: Graphene, CNTs, Particles, Films & Composites
Published: June 15, 2014
Pages: 392 - 395
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topics: Advanced Materials for Engineering Applications, Composite Materials
ISBN: 978-1-4822-5826-4