(605a) Preparation and Application of Immobilized Nano-Sized Silver on the Sintered Activated Carbon

In this study, the nano-sized silver immobilized on the sintered active carbon (Ag/SAC) was prepared by the ultrasonic-assisted impregnation method and its antibacterial properties towards Escherichia coli and Staphyloccocus aureus, were investigated. The structures of the Ag/SAC were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and N₂ adsorption-desorption tests. The silver content in the hybrid was also determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. It was indicated that the silver content increased with increasing impregnation time. The resulting Ag/SAC exhibited excellent stable antibacterial properties. In particular, when the silver loading was 9.2 mg per gram of carbon, the Ag/SAC had the minimum inhibitory concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/L for Escherichia coli and Staphyloccocus aureus, respectively. It was also found that the Ag/SAC possessed outstanding stability due to the relatively strong interaction between the Ag particles and activated carbon. A low silver concentration (< 50 μ g/L) was detected in the solution after water wash for 3 h.