Synthesis, ion-exchange and antibacterial properties of ETS-4, prepared using Na-kenyaite as a precursor

• ETS-4 was synthesized successfully by hydrothermal reaction using Na-kenyaite as a precursor. • ETS-4 was ion-exchanged with different ratios of silver (Ag/Si = 0.02–0.69) and copper (Cu/Si = 0.01–0.12) ions. • The ion-exchanged compounds showed positive antibacterial properties for gram negative Escherichia coli and gram positive Staphylococcus aureus while the parent ETS-4 have no activity. • Antibacterial property of Cu 2+ -exchanged ETS-4 is superior to the Ag + -exchanged ETS-4 and more effective against S. aureus bacteria. Microporous titanosilicate ETS-4 was synthesized successfully by hydrothermal method using Na-kenyaite as a precursor. Thermal characteristics of ETS-4 structure was examined by in situ high-temperature synchrotron X-ray diffraction and TG-DTA data. Upon dehydration below 300 °C, the material exhibited phase transitions, ultimately decomposing into narsarsukite at 800 °C. ETS-4 was ion-exchanged with different ratios of silver (Ag/Si = 0.02–0.69) and copper (Cu/Si = 0.01–0.12) ions. The antibacterial properties were studied using two model bacteria, gram negative Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) and gram positive Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) by inhibition zone method. All the ion-exchanged samples showed positive antibacterial properties while the parent ETS-4 have no activity. Antibacterial activities have been influenced by Ag + and Cu 2+ ions in host structure of ETS-4. Antibacterial property of Cu 2+ -exchanged ETS-4 is superior to the Ag + -exchanged ETS-4 and more effective against S. aureus bacteria.