Enhanced catalytic and antibacterial activity of nanocasted mesoporous silver monoliths: kinetic and thermodynamic studies

Use of low-cost heterogeneous renewable catalysts are essential for effective removal of chemical contaminants like 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) from water bodies. In the present study, for the first time use of surface enhanced (14 m²/g) nanocasted mesoporous silver monolith (AgM) through impregnation into silica monoliths (prepared by sol–gel method) has been demonstrated for its catalytic and antibacterial activity. Highly efficient catalytic reduction rate (2.43 min⁻¹) of 4-NP to 4- aminophenol (4-AP) has been demonstrated using 0.2 gL⁻¹ of AgM catalyst. Enhancement of reduction rate is also observed with increase in temperature (from 25 to 40 °C). Removal of microbial contamination from drinking water is also a prime concern for water purification. Mesoporous AgM shows effective antimicrobial activity against gram negative (E. coli) and gram positive (B. subtilis) bacteria with IC₅₀ values of 75.86 ± 0.173 and 74.56 ± 0.103 respectively at 24 h of incubation.

Use of low-cost renewable catalysts is essential for effective removal of a chemical contaminant like 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) from water bodies. Nanocasted mesoporous silver monolith (AgM) synthesized via impregnation into silica monoliths (prepared by sol-gel method) has been demonstrated for its catalytic and antibacterial activity. Mesoporous AgM also showed effective antimicrobial activity against gram negative and gram positive bacteria.