Antimicrobial supported nanoparticles: Gold versus silver for the cases of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi

Silver and gold nanoparticles were dispersed on TS-1 silicalite with a low titanium content. These materials were evaluated as biocides for Escherichia colt and Salmonella typhi. In the presence of TS-1, free of silver or gold, both bacteria use the silicalite's surface to reproduce rapidly. Ag- and Au-TS-1 were shown to be efficient for eliminating both E. coli and S. typhi present in a nutritive media. The efficiency of materials was related to their textural properties. In general, E. coli was eliminated faster than S. typhi. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.