Triad CNT-NPs/Polymer Nanocomposites: Fabrication, Characterization, and Preliminary Antimicrobial Study

Abstract

We report a comprehensive study of fabrication of advanced CNT-AgNPs/Polymer based nanocomposites (NCs) including structural (UV-Vis, FT-Raman, EDS, and XRD), morphological (FE-SEM, AFM, and TEM), thermal (TGA and DSC), and preliminary antimicrobial properties. Electrostatic attraction was utilized to incorporate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on carboxylic group functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). This was achieved by in-situ reduction of AgNO 3 and immobilization of AgNPs using NaBH 4 (reductant) under ultrasonication. As fabricated, AgNPs-SWCNTs were then reacted separately with various kinds of polymers such as DNA (bio-polymer), methacryl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (MA-POSS inorganic elastomer), and poly vinyl alcohol (PVA organic polymer) in presence of anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Obtained results ensure the successful incorporation of AgNPs and hybridization of different polymers on SWCNTs, respectively. Reaction mechanism involved between the SWCNTs, AgNPs, and polymers were significantly explained. Fundamental antimicrobial screening of NCs meets the requirement of biomedical application. Further, the resulted nanocomposites might have a promising role in reinforcement, coating, nanofillers, and as substrate additives for multiple studies.

Nanoparticles as potential new generation broad spectrum antimicrobial agents

“…Similarly, chitosan-CNT hybrid showed excellent antimicrobial activities against bacteria and fungi [ 9 ]. Other CNTs antimicrobial hybrids include ZnO coated MWCNTs (ZnO/MWCNTs) [ 13 ], Triad CNT-NPs/Polymer nanocomposites [ 11 ], functionalized MWCNTs-CdS and functionalized-MWCNTs-Ag2S [ 31 ], and CdTe QDs/single-walled aluminosilicate nanotubes [ 32 ]. Furthermore, Cefalexin-immobilized multi-walled CNTs have been found to broadly enhance the antimicrobial activities against a wide range of pathogens including E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and Bacillus subtilis [ 8 ] as shown in Table 1 .…”

“…The NPs physiochemical properties are highly diverse in nature and are highly applicable in biomedical field including antimicrobial and drug delivery [ 6 , 8 , 9 ]. Some examples of these biomedical NPs include silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) [ 10 ], carbon nanotubes (CNTs) [ 11 ], gold NPs (AuNPs) [ 12 ], zinc oxide NPs (ZnO-NPs) [ 13 ], and iron oxide NPs (FeO-NPs) [ 14 ].…”

Design of Antimicrobial Membrane Based on Polymer Colloids/Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes Hybrid Material with Silver Nanoparticles

“…31,32 Although MWCNTs have been correlated with ecotoxical effects, 33 DNA damage, 34 and pulmonary inflammation, 35 recent studies revealed that MWCNTs can be used in materials designed for water disinfection and purification 36 and coupled with AgNPs for photodegradation processes 37 or as fillers with antimicrobial activity. 38 An optimum antimicrobial membrane design with possible uses in water purification should involve low-cost materials and increased lifetime service. Thus, the aim of our design is to try to satisfy these actual social and economic requirements.…”

“…Nanocomposites based on MWCNTs have gained intense interest owing to their improved properties, namely, mechanical behavior, thermal and electrical conductivities, and also high chemical stability. , Although MWCNTs have been correlated with ecotoxical effects, DNA damage, and pulmonary inflammation, recent studies revealed that MWCNTs can be used in materials designed for water disinfection and purification and coupled with AgNPs for photodegradation processes or as fillers with antimicrobial activity …”