Nanoparticles (NPs) of new fluoride (SrF 2 and MgF 2 ) nanocompounds were synthesized by the simple chemical method of precipitation in ethanol. Synthesis of the strontium fluoride (SrF 2 )-magnesium oxide (MgO) nanocomposite was achieved through the ultrasonic method. These prepared nanopowders were characterized through Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). FT-IR confirmed the purity of the synthesized fluoride NPs by evaluation of the vibrations, and UV-Visible showed the intense absorption peaks of NPs. PXRD analysis indicated the average of particle size, and SEM demonstrated a nearly spherical morphology of the NPs. The antibacterical properties of the nanopowders on Staphylococcus Aureus, Bacillus Subtilis and E. Aklay bacteria were studied, with the strongest effect by the magnesium fluoride (MgF 2 ) NPs and the SrF 2 -MgO nanocomposite.Keywords: Nanoparticle; Nanofluoride; Nanocomposite; Antibacterial activity.e-mail: loregerli@ucsc.cl
INTRODUCTIONNanoparticles (NPs) are defined as particles less than 100 nm in diameter [1,2]. They exist widely in the natural world. For example, preparation of NPs in nature can be caused by photochemical process, volcanic activity or created by plants and etc. Currently, the level of nanomaterials is highly advanced, both in terms of scientific knowledge and in commercial applications. A decade ago, NPs were studied widely because of their size-dependent physical and chemical properties [3] and have now entered a commercial exploration period [4][5][6][7].In order to produce a small particle size, high-speed homogenization or ultrasonication is often employed [8]. Changes in the physical and chemical properties of the materials at the nanoscale have resulted in important applications and received considerable attention in various fields [9,10]. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials because of their novel chemical and physical properties arising from the large surface to volume ratios and the quantum size effect, compared with those of bulk counterparts [11][12][13][14][15]. They exhibit novel electronic, magnetic, optical, chemical and mechanical properties that cannot be obtained in their bulk counterparts [16][17][18][19][20][21].The alkali (IA) metals show a closer relationship in their properties than any other family of elements. They are extremely chemically reactive and never naturally found in the element form. All of these metals react spontaneously with gases in the air and thus, must be stored immersed in oil. The chemical reactivity of the alkali metals increases as the atomic number increases [22]. Almost, most of the compounds of the alkali metals are soluble in water and widely distributed. Alkaline earth halides are also soluble in water [23][24][25][26].In this study, we synthesized nano-sized SrF 2 , MgF 2 and SrF 2 -MgO that might be used as an agent f...