Date of Publication

7-13-2022

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Subject Categories

Chemical Engineering

College

Gokongwei College of Engineering

Department/Unit

Chemical Engineering

Thesis Advisor

Gian Paolo O. Bernardo
Angelo Earvin S. Choi

Defense Panel Chair

Allan N. Soriano

Defense Panel Member

Joseph R. Ortenero
Denvert C. Pangayao

Abstract/Summary

Metal nanoparticles, such as silver and copper nanoparticles (Ag and Cu NPs), have antibacterial properties that inhibit the growth of bacterial strains. Incorporating these nanoparticles on material surfaces increases the overall property and performance of the material. However, profiling the antibacterial activity of Ag and Cu NPs, in terms of their location and duration, using mathematical models is yet to be developed. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the antibacterial activity of Ag and Cu NPs on theoretical surfaces against the S. aureus bacteria using the finite difference method (FDM). The Ag to Cu metal loadings, with ratios of 1:0, 0:1, 2:3, 3:2, 1:2, 2:1, 1:1, 1:3, and 3:2, that achieved zones with 90% inhibition of the bacteria (IZ-90) for 25 %, 50 %, and 75 % area coverage and their optimum ratios were determined. The researchers developed a code incorporating FDM in Visual Basics for Applications (VBA) in MS Excel software to generate a 2D hypothetical matrix that profiles the antibacterial activity of Ag and Cu NPs. With that, this study may contribute to the future use and development of nanoparticles since the antibacterial activity of Ag and Cu NPs on surfaces was predicted without conducting any physical experiments. Different configurations of Ag and Cu NPs were simulated on the matrices to attain the target IZ-90 area coverages. The average surface inhibition rate (ASIR) and minimum local element inhibition rate for each test case were identified based on the simulations to determine the optimal Ag to Cu ratios. The Ag and Cu NPs placements and number of particles play a huge role in increasing or decreasing the IZ-90 coverage area of the matrix. A greater amount of Ag NPs requires a lesser number of particles on the matrices as they have a larger IZ-90 diameter than Cu NPs. The optimal Ag to Cu ratios obtained were based on matrices with high average surface and minimum local element inhibition rates. The time of inhibition and fatality rate of the optimal ratios were then obtained. Based on the observations, the optimal Ag to Cu ratios are 1:2, 1:2, 1:3 for 25 %, 50 %, 75 % area coverage, respectively.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Nanoparticles—Microbiology

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Embargo Period

7-13-2024

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Available for download on Saturday, July 13, 2024

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