MMT-supported Ag nanoparticles for chitosan nanocomposites: Structural properties and antibacterial activity

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers 2014-02, Vol.102, p.385-392
• Main Authors: Lavorgna, M., Attianese, I., Buonocore, G.G., Conte, A., Del Nobile, M.A., Tescione, F., Amendola, E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antibacterial; Applied sciences; Bionanocomposite; Chitosan; Chitosan - chemistry; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Montmorillonite; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Pseudomonas; Silver; Silver - chemistry; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.11.026

•AgMMT nanoparticles obtained by ion exchange reaction were embedded into chitosan film.•Water uptake of the chitosan/AgMMT films is lower than neat chitosan.•Active bionanocomposites were effective after 24h. Multifunctional bionanocomposites have been prepared by loading chitosan matrix with silver-montmorillonite antimicrobial nanoparticles obtained by replacing Na+ ions of natural montmorillonite with silver ions. This filler has been chosen for its twofold advantage to serve as silver supporting material and to confer new and better performance to the obtained material. It has been proved that the achievement of the intercalation of chitosan into the silicate galleries of montomorillonite as well as the interaction between chitosan and Ag ions and silver particles lead to an enhancement of the thermal stability, to an improvement of mechanical strengths and to a reduction of the liquid water uptake of the obtained bionanocomposites. Results also show that silver ions are released in a steady and prolonged manner providing, after 24 h, a significant reduction in the microbial growth of Pseudomonas spp.