The aim of this study was to investigate the application of modified clay as a support in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Silver nitrate (AgNO3) was used as the silver precursor in several concentrations (0.005 M, 0.01 M, 0.02 M, 0.05 M, and 0.1 M) to obtain Ag-MMT purified and modified clay nanocomposites. The properties of nanocomposites were also studied as a function of the concentration of the reducing agent, sodium borohydride (NaBH4). It was observed through X-ray Diffraction that the MMT purified structure was gradually exfoliated with increased concentrations of AgNO3, while the modified clay structure remained intact. As observed through UV-vis spectra, samples of Ag+-MMT were reduced with NaBH4 to produce Ago and its particle diameter is dependent on the concentration of NaBH4.

This study investigated the application of organo-clay as a support in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles with increased antimicrobial activity -the Ag-montmorillonite nanocomposite (Ag-MMT). This technology is utilized to improve the antibacterial function of materials, especially those used in polymeric nanocomposites. This purpose fulfils the recently increasing public concerns on hygiene and brings solutions to health, safety, and microbial protection. The experimental steps consisted of purification with hydrogen peroxide to remove organic matter and modification with Cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide to increase basal spacing in the clay. The purified Ag-MMT nanocomposites were obtained from organo-clay and silver nitrate (AgNO 3 ) as the silver precursor in the concentrations of 0.005 M, 0.01 M, 0.02 M, 0.05 M, and 0.1 M. The nanocomposites' properties were analyzed as a function of the sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ) concentration, the reducing agent. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the structure of the purified MMT was gradually exfoliated with increasing concentrations of AgNO 3 while the organo-clay structure remained intact. Samples of Ag + -MMT were reduced with NaBH 4 to produce Ag o ; the UV-vis spectra showed which particle diameters were dependent on the NaBH 4 concentration. The Ag-MMT organo-clay nanocomposite showed the highest antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli as the result of its high concentration of silver nanoparticles.