Synthesis of PS/Ag Nanocomposite Spheres with Catalytic and Antibacterial Activities

Abstract

This paper describes a simple, mild, and environmentally friendly approach to synthesize polystyrene/Ag (PS/Ag) nanocomposite spheres, which makes use of both reducing and stabilizing functions of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in aqueous media. In this approach, monodisperse polystyrene (PS) spheres, which are used as templates for the synthesis of core-shell nanocomposite spheres, are sulfonated first. Then, [Ag(NH(3))(2)](+) ions are adsorbed onto the surface of the PS template spheres via electrostatic attraction between -SO(3)H groups (grafted on the surface of the PS template spheres) and [Ag(NH(3))(2)](+) ions. [Ag(NH(3))(2)](+) ions are then reduced by and simultaneously protected by PVP. In this way, the PS/Ag nanocomposite spheres in aqueous media are obtained through a so-called one-pot method. Neither additional reducing agents nor toxic organic solvents are utilized during the synthesis process. Furthermore, the coverage degree and the particle size of Ag nanoparticles on PS/Ag nanocomposite spheres is easily tuned by changing the concentration of [Ag(NH(3))(2)](+) ions in aqueous media. Moreover, these PS/Ag nanocomposite spheres can be used as catalyst for the reduction of organic dyes and as antibacterial agents against Salmonella and Escherichia coli. In the present study, these PS/Ag nanocomposite spheres exhibit excellent catalytic properties (both in efficiency and recyclability) for the reduction of organic dyes, and the preliminary antibacterial assays indicate that these PS/Ag nanocomposite spheres also possess extraordinary antibacterial abilities against Salmonella and Escherichia coli.

Immobilization of Highly Dispersed Ag Nanoparticles on Carbon Nanotubes Using Electron-Assisted Reduction for Antibacterial Performance

“…A good strategy to keep Ag NPs smaller is to incorporate Ag NPs into supporting materials. [9][10][11] Besides stabilizing Ag NPs, dispersing Ag NPs on a convenient support can also obtain optimum Ag NPs utilization and reduce the amount of Ag NPs used, thus reducing the costs of the disinfectants.…”

Soluble, Antibaterial, and Anticorrosion Studies of Sulfonated Polystyrene/Polyaniline/Silver Nanocomposites Prepared with the Sulfonated Polystyrene Template

“…[35] In this case, SPS/PANI/Ag nanocomposites are formed by the reduction of [Ag(NH 3 [35] In this case, SPS/PANI/Ag nanocomposites are formed by the reduction of [Ag(NH 3 …”

Microwave assisted green synthesis of silver nanorods as catalysts for rhodamine B degradation

“…The degradation of RhB using silver nanocomposite has been discussed in the literature [9][10][11][12][13][14]. For the degradation of 20 mg L -1 of rhodamine B, 1.25% of silver nanorods and 0.09 mg of sodium borohydride is required which is lower than other silver nanocomposite [9][10][11][12][13] and comparable with silica gel/reduced graphene oxide/Ag nanoparticle composite [14]. …”