Silver/Polyethylene oxide nanocomposite: UV-fabrication, characterization, and antibacterial activity

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2012 Jun;12(6):4851-8. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2012.4905.

Abstract

In this article, silver-polyethylene oxide (Ag/PEO) biocompatible nanocomposite (BCNC) were successfully green synthesized by mixture containing low MW PEO, silver nitrate and by UV-irradiation at room temperature. The initially broad and asymmetric surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band was narrowed and blue-shifted as the exposure time to UV light was increased. Samples illuminated up to 3 h have an average particle size near 12.0 nm; a decrease to 10.0 nm was observed for longer exposure times up to 24 h. The asymmetric SPR band was due to particle aggregation; higher irradiation times led to a uniform particle distribution within the polymer matrix. The synthesized colloids and thin films have potent antibacterial activity toward gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coil (E. coli), and this activity is completely strong. The concentration of silver leading to a complete inhibition of bacteria growth was revealed as low as at 0.50 microg x ml(-1) and found much lower compared to other reports. Thus Ag/PEO BCNC could be suitable to antimicrobial applications and medical devices.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / cytology*
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects*
  • Materials Testing
  • Metal Nanoparticles / administration & dosage*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Silver / chemistry*
  • Silver / pharmacology*
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Silver
  • Polyethylene Glycols