Enhanced antibacterial activities of La/Zn-doped BiNbO4 nanocomposites

Bi 1− x La x NbO 4 and Bi 1− x La x NbO 4 nanocomposites were prepared by a simple coprecipitation method, and their composition, structure and morphology were characterized by modern testing techniques. The antibacterial activities of the as-prepared samples against Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli and Candida albicans were measured by the experiments of powder inhibition zone, inhibition zone diameter and minimum inhibitory concentration under the irradiation of sunlight. The results show that the antibacterial activities of BiNbO 4 doped with La and Zn are superior to that of the parent, and the composition of antibacterial agent and their mass ratio have a great influence on the antibacterial activities. Among these, the antibacterial activity of Bi 0.96 La 0.04 NbO 4 against three bacteria was best and its antibacterial activity to Candida albicans was better than those to the other two kinds.