Green tea mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles in halloysite nanotubes and their potential antimicrobial properties

A simple method has been developed for production of silver nanoparticles (Ag- NPs) in the halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) using green tea (GT) as reducing agent in this work. The formation of HNTs/Ag-NPs was confirmed by UV-Visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry and X-ray diffraction pattern. Transmission electron microscopy results revealed that the spherical and homogeneously distributed Ag-NPs are formed in the lumen as well as in the surface silicate cage of HNTs. The obtained HNTs/Ag-NPs showed good antibacterial activity towards E.coli and B.subtilis. In general, the results indicate that the prepared hybrid silver nanocomposites are low cost materials and can be applied potentially for advanced medical applications.