Application of Nano Magnesium Oxide in Antibacterial Materials

Studies have shown that magnesium oxide is extremely hydrated and forms a layer of magnesium hydroxide on the surface. The dissolved oxygen in the solution produces active oxygen ions through a single electron reduction reaction. The surface of magnesium oxide is coated with a hydroxide ion. Since oxygen is chemically stable in an alkaline environment, a high concentration of active oxygen ions can exist on the surface of magnesium oxide. Active oxygen ions have strong oxidative properties and can destroy the peptide bond structure of the cell wall of bacteria to kill bacteria quickly.

In addition, nano-magnesium oxide particles can produce destructive adsorption and can also destroy the bacterial cell membrane. This antibacterial mechanism can overcome the shortcomings of the silver-based antibacterial agents that are slow in action, easily discolored, and the titanium dioxide-based antibacterial agents that require ultraviolet irradiation.

At present, there are two main development paths for magnesium oxide antibacterial materials:

First, through the control of particle size, morphology, etc., the antibacterial properties of nano magnesium oxide are improved. For example, scientists have successfully developed a flaky nano-magnesium oxide powder that exhibits strong antimicrobial bactericidal activity against anthrax, staphylococci, and E. coli.

Second, a new composite antibacterial material was developed through the compounding of magnesium oxide and other antimicrobial materials. Mainly active carbon/magnesium oxide, metal oxide/magnesium oxide and chlorine gas, bromine gas/magnesium oxide and so on.

The nano-magnesium oxide powder is uniformly dispersed on the activated carbon substrate and has good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.

The halogen gas chlorine gas and bromine gas are strong fungicides. However, they are highly toxic and have high vapor pressure and cannot be used alone. They can use the strong adsorption of magnesia surface to form a stable magnesium oxide/halogen element gas system. Safe and efficient use.

In the aspect of metal oxide composite antibacterial agents, magnesium oxide/titanium dioxide composite powders were prepared by chemical co-deposition to study the antibacterial mechanism: titanium dioxide photocatalytically generates electron-holes under the action of ultraviolet light, but it is easy to recombine and lose light. Catalytic and antibacterial properties. The surface of the magnesium oxide electronic layer has defects and can accept electrons and holes, thereby inhibiting the recombination of photogenerated electron holes, improving photocatalytic efficiency, and improving antibacterial performance.

In the production practice, nano magnesium oxide has important applications in the development of antibacterial ceramics, antibacterial plastics and many other antibacterial materials.