Porous Diatomaceous Earth/Nano-Zinc Oxide Composites: Preparation and Antimicrobial Applications

This paper presents the preparation and characterization of a porous antimicrobial composite material consisting diatomaceous earth, an inorganic pore-forming agent, nano-zinc oxide (ZnO). A modified direct precipitation device produced high-surface area ZnO powder. The effect reaction temperature, volume flow rate, titration rate on particle size was studied. Using sodium chloride, potassium nitrate, percarbonate as porosity to create structures through dissolution also investigated. study found that adding cement sand earth improved mold strength while lowering increasing temperature increased specific surface ZnO. At 60 °C, crystalline structure changed from irregular spherical form regular nanorod structure. prepared nanorods reached over 15 m2/g, which is about five times higher. In antibacterial experiment, 5% 50 nm diameter resulted in nearly 100% against E. coli aqueous environment. results suggest earth/nano-ZnO has potential applications material, method could have broader implications materials science.