Author(s)

Enzo Erbisti Garcia^1*, Agnes Maria Cupertino Fernandes Araujo², Gerson Alberto Valencia Albitres¹, Daniela de França da Silva Freitas¹, Danielle Mattos Mariano¹, Carlos Magno Fialho Soares¹, Sibele Piedade Cestari³, Marco Antônio Lemos Miguel², Luis Claudio Mendes¹

¹Institute of Macromolecules Professora Eloisa Mano, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Horacio Macedo, 2030, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco J, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
²Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Centro de Ciencias da Saude, Bloco I, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
³Innovation in Polymer Engineering (PIEP), University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal.

The recent global spread of the pandemic underscores the necessity of seeking new materials effective against microorganisms. Nanotechnology offers avenues for developing multifunctional materials. In this study, alpha-titanium phosphate (α-TiP) nanoparticles were synthesized and treated with silver salt to enhance their antimicrobial properties. The physicochemical characteristics and antimicrobial activity were evaluated. It was revealed by X-ray diffraction analysis that the structural integrity of α-TiP was influenced by ethylenediamine and silver ions. Distinct degradation profiles for each chemical modification were shown by thermogravimetric analysis. Infrared spectroscopy detected shifts and new absorption peaks in the spectra depending on the type of modification. Energy dispersive spectroscopy confirmed the disaggregation of α-TiP galleries following the addition of silver salt, which increased their effectiveness against microorganisms. Notably, only the sample treated with silver ions exhibited antimicrobial action. Antimicrobial activity was tested against the bacteria of medical importance Escherichia coli, Salmonella Enteritidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria momocytogenes and the yeast Candida albicans. All microorganisms were inhibited by sample containing silver. Minor inhibition was observed against the Gram-positive bacteria L. monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus, while the greatest inhibition occurred against the fungus (yeast) C. albicans. The results revealed a potential application of the nanoparticles for control of microorganisms in public health.

Titanium Phosphate, Silver Nitrate, Antimicrobial Action

Garcia, E. , Araujo, A. , Albitres, G. , Freitas, D. , Mariano, D. , Soares, C. , Cestari, S. , Miguel, M. and Mendes, L. (2024) Antimicrobial Activity, Structural, Crystallographic and Thermal Characteristics of Alpha-Titanium Phosphate Promoted by Silver Ions. Materials Sciences and Applications, 15, 253-269. doi: 10.4236/msa.2024.158018.