Enhanced Antibacterial Activity of Melt Processed Poly(propylene) Ag and Cu Nanocomposites by Argon Plasma Treatment

Abstract

Argon surface plasma treatment (APT) of poly(propylene)/silver (PP/Ag) and poly(propylene)/ copper (PP/Cu) nanocomposite improves their antibacterial properties against pathogenic bacteria. Dispersions of PP/Ag and PP/Cu nanocomposites were prepared by sonication assisted melt mixing 0.05, 0.5, and 5 w/w% metal nanoparticle/polymer compositions, and then melt casted to form films that were surface treated with argon plasma. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopy showed that APT increase the surface roughness and the exposed nanoparticles. Also, APT produced implanted oxygen and nitrogen species as demonstrated by XPS analysis and enhanced the surface wettability. Antibacterial activity (AA) against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa of the plasma treated NC films was significantly increased in all conditions tested such as NP loading and interaction time; copper NCs were more effective than silver NCs. Surface activation of the PP/Ag and PP/Cu NC films by APT is a viable technique to increase the antibacterial activity of nanocomposites, an important issue in medical and health care applications.

Surface Modification of Carbon Nanofibers and Graphene Platelets Mixtures by Plasma Polymerization of Propylene

“…The CNPs were first sonicated in a glass reactor, to induce the deagglomeration of these carbon nanoparticles [34][35][36], as follows: 1 g of CNPs (CNFs and GPs, as well as the CNFs : GPs mixtures, in the following ratios by weight: 9 : 1, 8 : 2, or 7 : 3) was introduced in a glass reactor arranged with a sonotrode (see Figure 1) and sonicated at 20 kHz for 30 min in an air atmosphere. To improve the efficiency of functionalization, magnetic agitation was included.…”

Direct synthesis of magnetron sputtered nanostructured Cu films with desired properties via plasma chemistry for their efficient antibacterial application

“…Therefore, it is important to find out novel strategies and develop new antimicrobial agent by easy, fast, and environment‐friendly route with a broad‐spectrum of antimicrobial activity . Progress in the research continues, which has produced different organic and inorganic nanomaterials for their bio‐ and medicinal applications . However, most of the nanostructured (NS) thin films are not suitable for antimicrobial and antiviral studies.…”

“…Particularly, the NS metal films like Cu, Ag, Ti, and Au have been reported to have good antibacterial behaviors. Further, the cost‐effectiveness and the easy accessibility of Cu has made it a better option to work with, since it shares characteristic properties similar to those of expensive Ag, Au, and other noble metals. Additionally, NS Cu films have shown antimicrobial activity against a number of bacteria and fungi .…”

“…Additionally, NS Cu films have shown antimicrobial activity against a number of bacteria and fungi . Consequently, the usefulness of Cu films and their composites on various microorganisms are under extensive investigation . However, these materials have suffered the limitations that they undergo rapid oxidation with the exposure to air.…”

Polymer/Noble Metal Nanocomposites

“…reported the treatment of polypropylene PP/Ag and PP/Cu nanocomposites surface by using the argon plasma [41]. They showed that the nanocomposites have a higher quality in the antibacterial efficiency versus, pathogenic, the human disease bacteria, because of the larger surface area of the metal nanoparticles and the raising of the hydrophilicity and the roughness of film surface.…”