3.6. Evidence of metal dispersion
Evidence of metal dispersion in the investigated materials was provided by X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Changes in the binding energy (BE) of the electrons belonging to the material atoms involved in metal dispersion are expected to provide valuable information about the retention strength of MNP and indirectly on the antibacterial activity. The presence of metal in the chemical compositions of NaMt and CT after metal incorporation was revealed by new XPS signals, i.e. Cu2p at 933 eV and Ag3d at 364 eV (Fig. 2.a) .