Antibacterial and catalytic properties of silver nanoparticles loaded zeolite: green method for synthesis of silver nanoparticles using lemon juice as reducing agent

Zeolite Y is a cage-like alumina silicate which is widely used as solid support to immobilize metal and metal sulfide nanoclusters. We have attempted to synthesis silver nanoparticle-loaded zeolite Y by an ion exchange method followed by a biogenic reduction method using lemon juice as a reducing agent. The antimicrobial activity of the silver ion, silver nanoparticles and silver chloride-modified zeolite was investigated against various Gram negative and Gram positive microorganisms. The silver nanoparticle-loaded zeolite was further functionalized with amoxicillin antibiotic which exhibited a strong antimicrobial action to kill drug resistant microorganisms. The catalytic behavior of silver nanoparticles was investigated to reduce 4-Nitrophenol in presence of NaBH$_4$. The catalytic reaction is found to be pseudo-first order, resulting in a rate constant that was comparable with previously-reported results.