Figure & Scheme captions
Scheme 1. Schematic illustration of NaMt based samples before (H20@NaMt) and after metal dispersion (Metal/H20@NaMt) (a) and of CT based samples before (H20@CT) and after metal dispersion (Metal/H20@CT) (b).
Fig. 1. SEM of unloaded and of metal loaded NaMt and H20@CT (a) and of untreated cellulose (CT), polyol-functionalized cellulose (H20@CT), metal zero-loaded cellulose (MNPs/CT and MNPs/H20@CT) (b).
Fig. 2. XPS graphs of untreated NaMt and metal loaded counterparts (a) and of two key elements (Al2p, Si2p) for both NaMt and Ag0/NaMt (b).
Fig. 3. Effect of untreated matrices on Bacillus Subtilis168 proliferation . Bacteria strain was incubated for 24h at 37oC with 5 mg of untreated clays NaMt (left dish), BoltornTM H20 (middle dish) and H20@NaMt (right dish) (a). Average diameter and dependence of inhibition zone ofE. coli and B. subtilis treated with various amounts of antibacterial agents. All Petri dishes were incubated for 24h at 37oC with a cell density of 0.5 at 600 nm (b).
Fig. 4. Antibacterial test of Ag0/NaMt and Cu0/NaMt clay- based samples . Escherichia coli(a1 and b1), Bacillus subtilis168 (a2 and b2) were incubated for 24h at 37 oC with 5 mg of Cu0/NaMt (a1-2) or Ag0/NaMt (b1-2).
Fig. 5. Antibacterial test of MNP loaded in organoclay- based samples . Escherichia coli (a1, b1, c1 and d1),Bacillus subtilis168 (a2, b2, c2 and d2) were incubated for 24h at 37 oC with 5 mg of Ag0/H20@NaMt (a1-2); Cu0/H20@NaMt (b1-2); Ag+/H20@NaMt (c1-2) and Cu2+/H20@NaMt (d1-2).