Improving mechanical properties and antibacterial behaviors of ceramic tile junctions with glass spheres and nano-Ag particles

ABSTRACT

Better property combinations can be fashioned by the judicious combination of two or more distinct materials with composite manufacturing. This study aims to produce composite joints used in between ceramic tiles for providing better mechanical behaviors and antibacterial property. Prior to the deposition process, Ag ions, glucose, Ag nanoparticle, and Ag solutions were characterized with the aid of atomic absorption spectroscopy, the dinitrosalicylic acid method, pH meter, turbidimeter, and particle size analyzer. Ag particles had been synthesized by a reduction method in nano size as nanomaterials can show incredible features to achieve successful applications. Glass spheres were used in micro size, in consideration of better dispersion of the load and the final product having a minimum porosity. By adding silver nanoparticles and glass spheres to the joint matrix at different loading levels, different types of samples were obtained. Then, they were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive spectroscopy, antimicrobial activity and mechanical performance. It was concluded that Ag nanoparticles and glass spheres are very effective by means of providing antibacterial property and better mechanical behaviors. Namely, they did not lose their individual properties, but they performed synergistically well.

KEYWORDS:

• Composites
• mechanical property
• antibacterial property
• nano-Ag
• glass spheres
• E. coli
• S. aureus

Acknowledgment

The author would like to acknowledge Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir Institute of Technology, Ege University, University of West Bohemia, and Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University.