Preparation and characterization of antibacterial Zn2+-exchanged montmorillonites

Zn-montmorillonites(Zn-MMTs) as antibacterial compounds were prepared by an ion-exchange reaction. The reaction time, initial pH value and molar ratios of CEC influencing zinc content in Zn-MMTs were investigated, and Zn-MMTs were characterized by means of EDX, XRD, XPS, and SEM. The results of bacterial growth tests were confirmed by determination of the minimum inhibition concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs). The experimental results show that the zinc is confirmed as bivalent zinc state, the d 001 basal spacing of Zn-MMTs is enlarged with the enhancement of the zinc content, and the particles of Zn-MMTs are formed with irregular shape. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of Zn-MMTs increases with increasing the zinc content, and Zn-MMT-3 containing 6.76 mass% of zinc exhibits optimum antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus . The intercalated zinc ions act as very effective antibacterial substances in the long term.