The Application of Nanometer Magnesium Oxide in Antibacterial Material

   Research has shown that magnesium oxide is easy hydrate and form a magnesium hydrate. The oxygen, which dissolves in solution, generates the reactive oxygen species after reduction reaction. On the surface of magnesium oxide, there is a hydroxide ion. The oxygen gas has a fairly good chemical stability in alkaline environment, so the active oxygen species with high concentration can exist on the surface of magnesium oxide. And the active oxygen species has a stronger oxidization property, so it can break the cell membranes’ peptide bond structure of germ. Consequently, it can kill germ quickly.

   In addition, the nanometer magnesium oxide particles can produce destructive adsorption and break germ’s cell membrane. This antibacterial zone method can overcome defects of slowing acting of silver based antibacterial agent and tatanium based antibacterial agents need ultraviolet irradiation.

   At present, there are two development path of magnesium oxide’s antibacterial material:

   Firstly, to improve nanometer magnesium oxide’s antibacterial activity through controlling particle size and the shape characteristic. For example, the scientist had researched a kind of flaky nanometer magnesium oxide powder. It shows a strong antibacterial and antiseptic properties on anthrax, staphylococcus, colibacillus and so on. 

   Secondly, to develop new hybrid through recombine magnesium oxide and other antibacterial material. The antibacterial material manly includes activated carbon magnesium oxide, metallic oxide, chlorine and so on. Dispersing the nanometer magnesium oxide powder in the activated carbon matrix, it has a good antibacterial property for staphylococcus aureus.

   The chlorine and bromine gas are strong bactericide in halogen element. However, it has poison and a high vapor pressure, so it can not be use alone. It can form a stable magnesium oxide gas system through strong absorption on the surface of magnesium oxide. Therefore, it can be used safety and high efficiency.

   In the production practice, the nanometer magnesium oxide plays an important role in the development of antibacterial material field, such as the antibiotic ceramic, antibacterial plastic and so on.