Green synthesis of biocidal silver-activated charcoal nanocomposite for disinfecting water

Abstract

We report for the first time the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using West Indian cherry (Malpighia emarginata) extract known for its high vitamin C content. UV–visible spectroscopy, powder X ray diffraction (PXRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis were used to characterise silver nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles thus synthesised exhibit antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The antimicrobial property of nanoparticles thus synthesised was applied in the production of silver-activated charcoal nanocomposite towards fabrication of antimicrobial water filtration columns. The microbial filtration efficiency of the nanocomposite was found to be higher compared to virgin activated charcoal even with reusage.