Antibacterial Action and Efficacy of Silver and Copper Exchanged Na-Y Zeolite from Fly Ash on 304 Stainless Steel Coupons by Agar Diffusion Method

Abstract

Na-Y Zeolite synthesized from fly ash was exchanged with Ag+ and Cu2+ ions by ion exchange process. The antibacterial action and efficacy of silver and copper exchanged Na-Y zeolite on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was suspended in broth media and exposed to silver and copper exchanged zeolite Y (ranging from 25-1000 μg) for a period of 24 h. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of silver and copper loaded zeolite-Y powder was 50 and 250 μg for Escherichia coli. Staphylococcus aureus was destroyed at a powder concentration of 100 μg for both Ag-Y and Cu-Y zeolite. Further, the present work also focuses to incorporate 5% silver and copper exchanged zeolite pigment in coating and study the antibacterial effect on the coated 304 stainless coupons. Paint containing copper exchanged zeolite shows antibacterial activity compared to paint with silver containing zeolite.