A study on improving the antibacterial properties of palygorskite by using cobalt-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles

Abstract Naturally rich and cheap palygorskite (Pal) is an excellent carrier for environmental protection. In present study, Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles (Co-ZnO) were prepared and decorated on acidified palygorskite by a simple sol-gel method to improve the antibacterial properties of palygorskite. Compared with bare Pal, Co-ZnO/Pal nanocomposites exhibited excellent antibacterial properties, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 3 mg/mL. This is largely due to the large amount of superoxide anions (·O2−) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH) produced by Co-ZnO/Pal, and the morphology of palygorskite play an important physical piercing effect on the cell surface. This result opens up a new way for future functional clay materials.