Hierarchically structured Mg–Al mixed metal oxides templated from pine sawdust: fabrication, Congo red adsorption and antibacterial properties

ABSTRACT

Biomorphic Mg–Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) templated from pine sawdust as precursors, hierarchically structured Mg–Al mixed metal oxides (MMOs) with well-developed porosity were prepared through biological template method and hydrothermal process. As-synthesized composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and nitrogen adsorption measurements. Adsorption conditions including different Congo red concentration, contact time, pH and temperature were investigated. Antibacterial ability and mechanism against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were analyzed. MMOs exhibited higher adsorption and stronger antibacterial ability as compared with biomorphic LDHs. The concept provides new insight into design and preparation efficient adsorption and antibacterial materials.

KEYWORDS:

• Biological template
• biomorphic Mg–Al LDHs
• Mg–Al mixed metal oxides
• Congo red adsorption
• antibacterial ability

Additional information

Funding

We are very thankful for financial support by National Nature Science Foundation of China (21706100 and U1507115), Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20160500, BK20161362 and BK20160491), Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province (B2018203393), Qinhuangdao Science and Technology Research and Development Plan, China, (No. 201701B044) and Hebei Province key research and development projects, (No. 17272402D).