Design and antibacterial activity assessment of “green” synthesized 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles via an Fe3O4/silicalite-1/PVA/Cu(i) nanocomposite catalyzed three component reaction

Abstract

Herein, a novel route to produce silicalite-1 via a sol–gel process is presented. After preparation of silicalite-1, an Fe₃O₄/silicalite-1 nanocomposite, and finally an Fe₃O₄/silicalite-1/PVA/Cu(I) catalyst are produced by an in situ process. The catalytic performance of Fe₃O₄/silicalite-1/PVA/Cu(I) in Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition has been compared with the catalytic activity of a PVA/Cu(I) nanocomposite, to show the effect of the Fe₃O₄/silicalite-1 structure. The catalyst could be separated from the mixture with its substantial paramagnetic feature owing to the presence of Fe₃O₄-NPs. All the necessary structural analyses such as SEM, EDX, FT-IR, TGA, XRD, BET and VSM have been done. This porous heterogeneous catalyst indicates good long-term stability in the air, and also protection of the copper nanoparticles from oxidation. Other advantages of this catalyst are easy separation of the catalyst, milder and green reaction conditions, high yields and short reaction time (∼10 min). Additionally, copper nanoparticles and poly(vinyl alcohol) synergistically act against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and the Fe₃O₄/silicalite-1/PVA/Cu(I) nanocomposite showed higher antimicrobial activity for E. coli. The antimicrobial activity was determined by using a colony-reduction method. Insertion of amine groups onto the surface of Fe₃O₄/silicalite-1 has no effect on the antibacterial performance. Moreover, the reusability of Fe₃O₄/silicalite-1/PVA/Cu(I) is proved.