Synthesis, biocidal, and antitoxin properties of metal oxide nanoparticles

Nanomaterials exhibit specific physical, chemical and technological properties, which can significantly differ from the bulk material as well as from the molecules or ions from which they are built. The reason behind this change is the large surface to volume ratio, which combines with high surface area, a huge numbers of defects, corners and edges rendering the surface even more reactive. This infers that nanomaterials should exhibit different biological properties, which can be judiciously tailored leading to specific products with unique properties.;Metal oxide nanoparticles can adsorb and store in intact form many organic and inorganic molecules in significant amount due to the large surface area and high activity. In the current work this capability was used to prepare nanoscale adducts based on adsorption of very potent but difficult to handle bactericides such as halogens and some interhalogens. It was confirmed that upon adsorption the bond in the adsorbates was preserved, but strained, which is one reason for their outstanding chemical and respectively biocidal activity.;The solid adducts were found to be very active bactericides and sporicides, while very easy to use, handle and remove. There are four main factors that contribute to the metal oxide nanoparticle activity. These include charge attraction (charge of the nanoparticles is opposite to the bacteria cells), abrasive action (presence of huge number of corners and edges in the nanoscale framework), basic character (nanoparticles partially dissolves the outermost coat of spores) and oxidizing power (in the case of halogen or interhalogen loaded adducts).;In addition, halogenated magnesium oxide nanoparticles were found to be very efficient in the detoxification of microcystin toxins. Halogen addition from the nanoparticles to the toxin molecules renders them inactive and nontoxic.