Antibacterial hybrid materials for application in water purification

ANA GABRIELA ENDERLE

Liverpool

Congreso; 7th EuCheMS Chemistry Congress; 2018

The synthesis of hybrid materials, combining the properties of organic and inorganic components in one compound, results in composites with unique physical and chemical properties. The combination of bio-based organic cations with inorganic anionic molecular metal oxides, so-called polyoxometalates (POMs), results in composite ionic liquids or composite hybrid materials which combine the unique properties of both components. This presentation will showcase the synthesis of novel POM-organic materials by combining sterically demanding cations of bio-based families, such as guanidinium and caffeinium with prototype POM anions such as the Keggin- or Dawson families. Derivatization of POMs with organic partners, including synthetic molecules and natural bio-bases, is expected to result in a synergetic effect and endow the POM hybrid with novel functions or properties. Moreover, the combinations offer additional advantages, such as better stability. Pioneering studies have used composites of alkylammonium cations and POM anions for multifunctional water purification to remove toxic heavy materials, organic aromatics and microbes. Tuning the components by combining guanidinium and caffeinium organic cations with POMs is expected to result in further enhanced antimicrobial properties, leading to improved purification performance. Synthetic and antimicrobial studies, including dye reduction tests and photocatalytic bacterial inactivation tests, will be discussed and the fundamental materials properties will be described, allowing us to highlight the future directions for this composite class in areas such as separation and purification technologies, e.g. water decontamination and nuclear wastewater treatment.