Improvement of mechanical properties, microscopic structures, and antibacterial activity by Ag/ZnO nanocomposite powder for glaze-decorated ceramic

With the increase in the international trade of ceramics, improvement in the physical and chemical properties of ceramics has become a market demand in recent years. The addition of nanomaterials in glaze can simultaneously improve the mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of ceramics. In this study, the effect of nano-sized Ag/ZnO in glazed ceramic was investigated considering the hardness, whiteness, and microscopic structures of the products. Results showed that the Ag/ZnO nanocomposite powder significantly affects the performance of glaze. Glaze hardness reached the highest value (96.6 HV) at the low sintering temperature of 1130 ℃ with the addition of 10% Ag/ZnO nanocomposite powder. Furthermore, the Ag/ZnO nanocomposite powder improved crack resistance and whiteness. Ag as AgO and Ag₂O in the glaze was effective for antibacterial activity of ceramic. In addition, the Ag/ZnO nanocomposite powder could also promote the shrinkage of bubbles in the glaze layer and smooth the glaze. These results indicated that the nanoparticles could act as an active center for melting raw materials, which is crucial for ceramic properties.