Green Synthesis and Characterization of Halloysite Nanoclay/Curcumin/Ag Hybrid Nano Materials for Antibacterial Applications

In this report a new method to produce silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the intercalation of highly biocompatible halloysite nanoclay (HNTs) has been produced using curcumin as a reducing agent. AgNPs are stable in the lumen structure and also in the silicate cage of HNTs. The intercalation of halloysite of curcumin and of AgNPs was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the formation of AgNPs was investigated by UV-Visible spectroscopy. The crystallinity of AgNPs in HNTs was investigated by X-ray diffraction technique. The morphology of AgNPs in HNTs was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photonelectron spectroscopy techniques were used to determine the quantification and compositional elements in HNTs/cur/AgNPs. Furthermore, the antimicrobial efficiency of AgNPs on Gram-positive Bacillus cereus and on Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria was studied using the diameter of inhibition zone in the disk diffusion test.