Synthesis of methylcellulose–silver nanocomposite and investigation of mechanical and antimicrobial properties

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers 2012-11, Vol.90 (4), p.1818-1825
• Main Authors: Maity, Dipanwita, Mollick, Md. Masud Rahaman, Mondal, Dibyendu, Bhowmick, Biplab, Bain, Mrinal Kanti, Bankura, Kalipada, Sarkar, Joy, Acharya, Krishnendu, Chattopadhyay, Dipankar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Infective Agents - chemical synthesis; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; anti-infective properties; Antimicrobial activity; Applied sciences; aqueous solutions; Bacteria - drug effects; Composite materials; Composites; crystal structure; crystallites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; mechanical properties; Mechanical property; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Methylcellulose; Methylcellulose - chemistry; microorganisms; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; mixing; nanocomposites; Nanocomposites - chemistry; Nanocomposites - ultrastructure; nanocrystals; nanosilver; Polymer industry, paints, wood; silver; Silver nanoparticles; silver nitrate; Silver Nitrate - chemistry; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Technology of polymers; transmission electron microscopy; X-Ray Diffraction
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.07.082

► Silver (Ag) nanoparticles were synthesized using methylcellulose (MC). ► MC–Ag nanocomposite films prepared through solution casting of mixture of MC and Ag. ► Average crystallite size of silver nanocrystal was 22.7nm. ► The MC–Ag nanocomposite films showed enhanced mechanical properties. ► MC–Ag nanocomposites showed good antimicrobial activities. In this paper we reported preparation of methylcellulose–silver nanocomposite films by mixing of aqueous solution of methylcellulose with silver nitrate followed by casting. The silver nanoparticles were generated in methylcellulose matrix through reduction and stabilization by methylcellulose. The surface plasmon band at 412nm indicated the formation of Ag nanoparticles. The MC–Ag nanocomposite films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The X-ray diffraction analysis of synthesized MC–Ag nanocomposite films revealed that metallic silver was present in face centered cubic crystal structure. Average crystallite size of silver nanocrystal was 22.7nm. The FTIR peaks of as-synthesized MC–Ag nanocomposite fully designated the strong interaction between Ag nanoparticles and MC matrix. Nano-sized silver modified methylcellulose showed enhanced mechanical properties i.e. the introduction of Ag leading to both strengthening and toughening of MC matrix. The methylcellulose–silver nanocomposite films offered excellent antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms.