Preparation and antibacterial mechanism of copper-based silica nanocomposite materials

In this study, copper-based silica nanocomposite with antibacterial properties is prepared by the impregnation adsorption method, employing nano-silica microspheres as carriers. The as-synthesized material has good dispersion and uniform particle size. Copper is loaded on the carrier surface in the form of CuO and Cu(OH)2.and the loading can reach up to 7 %. When the material dosage is 0.001 g mL−1, the antibacterial rate against E. coli can reach 99 %. Adding rare earth elements improves the materials' physical, chemical, and antibacterial properties. Adding rare trace earth reduces the agglomeration, enhances the specific surface area, affects the existing form of copper, increases the crystallinity, and thus improves the antibacterial activity. The antibacterial properties are improved when the dysprosium concentration is 1 × 10-5 mol· L-1. Copper-based antibacterial nanomaterials mainly destroy the cell membrane and affect the normal function of bacterial proteins via contact antibacterial and antibacterial dissolution routes, hindering their reproduction and killing them. The material exhibits a good application prospect in antibacterial silicone rubber production.