Preparation and characterization of antibacterial cobalt-exchanged natural zeolite/poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels

In the present study, potential application of the local clinoptilolite-rich natural zeolite in formulation of antibacterial hydrogels was investigated. The zeolite powder exchanged with cobalt(II) ions was used in preparation of the zeolite/poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel films in different amounts. The films were physically crosslinked by the freezing-thawing method and characterized for their crystallinity, surface and cross sectional morphology, chemical composition, thermal behaviour, mechanical properties, swelling and dissolution behaviours, and antibacterial activities against a Gram-negative bacteria. The films with 0.48 wt% and higher cobalt-exchanged zeolite contents showed antibacterial activity. Addition of the zeolite powder in the formulations did not cause significant changes in the other properties of the films. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.DPT-2006 K120690Acknowledgments This study was financially supported by Turkish Republic Prime Ministry State Planning Organization (DPT-2006 K120690, Determination of Effects of Zeolite on Health on Cellular and Molecular Level). The reference clinoptilolite mineral with [95 wt% clinoptilolite content (27031, Castle Creek, Idaho) from Mineral Research, Clarkson, New York was kindly supplied by F. Mumpton. We would thank to Prof. Devrim Balköse for her valuable comments. We would also thank to Özen Özyurtsel and Selim Sel-imog?lu for their help in the experimental work