Sepiolite/copper nanostructured compacts for healthcare and catalytic applications

Sepiolite/copper nanostructured powders were successfully obtained by wet processing. Transmission electron microscopy studies showed the presence of Cu nanoparticles (average size about 20 nm), isolated and homogeneously distributed in the sepiolite fibers. Compacts with and without the addition of...

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Main Authors: S. Lopez-Esteban, R. Diaz, B. Cabal, A. Gil, E. Sotelo, J. Azuaje, J.F. Bartolome, J.S. Moya, C. Pecharroman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Materials & Design
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127525006203
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author S. Lopez-Esteban
R. Diaz
B. Cabal
A. Gil
E. Sotelo
J. Azuaje
J.F. Bartolome
J.S. Moya
C. Pecharroman
author_facet S. Lopez-Esteban
R. Diaz
B. Cabal
A. Gil
E. Sotelo
J. Azuaje
J.F. Bartolome
J.S. Moya
C. Pecharroman
author_sort S. Lopez-Esteban
collection DOAJ
description Sepiolite/copper nanostructured powders were successfully obtained by wet processing. Transmission electron microscopy studies showed the presence of Cu nanoparticles (average size about 20 nm), isolated and homogeneously distributed in the sepiolite fibers. Compacts with and without the addition of a low-melting-point glass were obtained by sintering at very low temperature (about 600 °C), either in air or in reducing atmosphere. The suitability of these compacts for catalysis and biocide applications was investigated. Regarding samples sintered in air, it has been shown for the first time that, at temperatures as low as 600 °C, the presence of Cu nanoparticles in the channels of the sepiolite structure promotes the formation of a copper magnesium silicate of clinoensteatite type, as well as the collapse of the sepiolite structure. Compacts sintered in reducing atmosphere present an excellent catalytic performance (95 % yield) in the synthesis of phenamic acid to prepare anti-inflammatory drugs. Moreover, the bactericidal activity against selected bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and antibiotic resistant strains (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), revealed strong bactericidal effects (>3 log reduction, 24 h). The procedure used in this work is readily scalable to low-cost industrial production, paving the way towards applications in critical fields like Medicine and Catalysis.
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spelling doaj-art-5e91890b2873488b8d9f77bbdf2f87102025-08-20T02:37:09ZengElsevierMaterials & Design0264-12752025-07-0125511420010.1016/j.matdes.2025.114200Sepiolite/copper nanostructured compacts for healthcare and catalytic applicationsS. Lopez-Esteban0R. Diaz1B. Cabal2A. Gil3E. Sotelo4J. Azuaje5J.F. Bartolome6J.S. Moya7C. Pecharroman8Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), C/ Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, 3, 28049 Madrid, Spain; Corresponding author.Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología (CINN) (CSIC–UNIOVI-PA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Oviedo, Principado de Asturias, Avda. de la Vega, 4-6, 33940 El Entrego, Asturias, SpainCentro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología (CINN) (CSIC–UNIOVI-PA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Oviedo, Principado de Asturias, Avda. de la Vega, 4-6, 33940 El Entrego, Asturias, SpainInstituto de Materiales (IMATUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, SpainCentro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultade de Farmacia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, SpainCentro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultade de Farmacia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, SpainInstituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), C/ Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, 3, 28049 Madrid, SpainCentro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología (CINN) (CSIC–UNIOVI-PA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Oviedo, Principado de Asturias, Avda. de la Vega, 4-6, 33940 El Entrego, Asturias, SpainInstituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), C/ Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, 3, 28049 Madrid, SpainSepiolite/copper nanostructured powders were successfully obtained by wet processing. Transmission electron microscopy studies showed the presence of Cu nanoparticles (average size about 20 nm), isolated and homogeneously distributed in the sepiolite fibers. Compacts with and without the addition of a low-melting-point glass were obtained by sintering at very low temperature (about 600 °C), either in air or in reducing atmosphere. The suitability of these compacts for catalysis and biocide applications was investigated. Regarding samples sintered in air, it has been shown for the first time that, at temperatures as low as 600 °C, the presence of Cu nanoparticles in the channels of the sepiolite structure promotes the formation of a copper magnesium silicate of clinoensteatite type, as well as the collapse of the sepiolite structure. Compacts sintered in reducing atmosphere present an excellent catalytic performance (95 % yield) in the synthesis of phenamic acid to prepare anti-inflammatory drugs. Moreover, the bactericidal activity against selected bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and antibiotic resistant strains (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), revealed strong bactericidal effects (>3 log reduction, 24 h). The procedure used in this work is readily scalable to low-cost industrial production, paving the way towards applications in critical fields like Medicine and Catalysis.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127525006203SepioliteCopperNanoparticlesCatalyticHealthcareBiocide
spellingShingle S. Lopez-Esteban
R. Diaz
B. Cabal
A. Gil
E. Sotelo
J. Azuaje
J.F. Bartolome
J.S. Moya
C. Pecharroman
Sepiolite/copper nanostructured compacts for healthcare and catalytic applications
Materials & Design
Sepiolite
Copper
Nanoparticles
Catalytic
Healthcare
Biocide
title Sepiolite/copper nanostructured compacts for healthcare and catalytic applications
title_full Sepiolite/copper nanostructured compacts for healthcare and catalytic applications
title_fullStr Sepiolite/copper nanostructured compacts for healthcare and catalytic applications
title_full_unstemmed Sepiolite/copper nanostructured compacts for healthcare and catalytic applications
title_short Sepiolite/copper nanostructured compacts for healthcare and catalytic applications
title_sort sepiolite copper nanostructured compacts for healthcare and catalytic applications
topic Sepiolite
Copper
Nanoparticles
Catalytic
Healthcare
Biocide
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127525006203
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