Anisotropic silver nanoparticles deposited on zeolite A for selective Hg2+ colorimetric sensing and antibacterial studies

Silver nanoparticles deposited on the surface of zeolite A were prepared via the post ion-exchange reduction and reduction deposition methods. The formation of silver nanoparticles on the surface of zeolite A was verified by surface plasmon spectra using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and ultraviolet visible spectroscopy. The morphology of the prepared samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, silver nanoparticles deposited on the zeolite A after fixation of rhodamine B dye molecules on them were successful in the selective detection of Hg2+. After treatment with the so-obtained sensor, a colour change from colourless to pink was visible to the naked eye for concentrations of the Hg2+ solution down to 1.0x10(-8) mol L-1. Antibacterial tests demonstrated the multifunctional application of the silver nanoparticles deposited on zeolite A.