Executive Summary : | Objective: Antimicrobial implications of transition metal ion /their compounds are of great concern as they help to control bacterial growth and thus spreading of bacterial infections which can cause serious diseases. This will also help in reducing the consumption of antibiotics which is responsible for generating multidrug resistant microbial strains. Further it will help in cutting down the therapeutic cost with minimal side effects. In order to take advantage of properties of transition metals /their compounds and to extend their antimicrobial applications to bring them to commercial level, it is proposed to synthesize compounds of transition metals notably copper , silver, titanium and zinc in nano size with varying morphology (like spherical, flower , flakes) and fabricate composites of developed nanomaterials using polymer/ geopolymers to design antimicrobial coatings for fixtures and accessories (like for door handles railings etc ) in hospitals to prevent spread of bacterial infections. Summary: The fabrication of nanoparticles of different morphologies is one of most promising area of research in recent years. Advancement is required in development nanomaterials of controlled morphology by simple and energy efficient methods which yield reproducible results. Among various metal compounds there is an increasing interest to synthesize compounds of transition metals, most notably those of copper, zinc, titanium and silver in nano size, because of their fascinating optical, catalytic, antimicrobial and surface properties which make them suitable for application in food, pharmacy, cosmetology, optical devices, sensors, electronics, photocatalysis,
disinfection of water, and also antimicrobial applications. Antimicrobial applications has stimulated considerable interest in searching for new metal complexes. One recent route to further extend the antimicrobial applications of these nano material compounds is by their incorporation into polymer matrices. These polymer nanocomposites can be prepared by several routes such as in situ synthesis of the nanoparticle within a hydrogel or direct addition of the metal compound nanofiller into a polymer matrix or by applying surface coatings. However, to take advantage of their enhanced properties to bring them to commercial level, research will continue to thrive over the next decade, and tremendous opportunities lie ahead in this area. Our aim is to synthesize compounds of transition metals notably copper , silver, titanium and zinc in nano size with varying morphology (like spherical, flower , flakes) and fabrication of composites of developed nanomaterials using polymers/ geopolymers to design antimicrobial coatings for fixtures and accessories (like for door handles railings etc ) in hospitals to prevent spread of bacterial infections. |