Preparation and performance of amidoximated silver-silica core-shell nanoparticles for uranium extraction from seawater

Biofouling caused by marine microorganisms could remarkably decrease the adsorption capacity of adsorbents towards uranium extraction from seawater since the materials usually have to be immersed in marine environment for several months owing to the extremely low content of uranium. In order to avoid the interference of microbial adhesion, this work designed and fabricated a new antibacterial material named amidoximated silver-silica core-shell nanoparticle (Ag@SiO2-AO) as a potential adsorbent for uranium extraction from seawater. Experimental results demonstrated that in uranium-spiked seawater, the maximal uranium uptake of Ag@SiO2-AO reached 47.42 mg/g, and the silver released by the material was effective to inhibit Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by interrupting cell respiration, resulting in lipid peroxidation and ultimately the death of cell.