Synthesis and Antibacterial Testing of SilverPoly (Ether Amide)‎ Composite Nanofibers with Ultralow Silver Content

Abstract EN

Antimicrobial materials have attracted much attention all over the world.

Herein, a new kind of antimicrobial material, poly (ether amide) (Pebax Ⓡ) nanofibers containing Ag nanoparticles, was prepared by electrospinning method.

The Ag/Pebax Ⓡ composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) measurements.

The antimicrobial properties of Ag/Pebax Ⓡ composites against Escherichia coli (E.

coli; ATCC25922 and avirulent) and Staphylococcus aureus (S.

aureus; ATCC6538 and avirulent) were evaluated by membrane adhering method.

It was found that the Ag content played an important part in the antimicrobial ability of Ag/Pebax Ⓡ composites.

When the mass ratio of AgNO3 to Pebax Ⓡ in the precursor was 0.15 ‰ , the inhibition rate can reach >99.9% and antimicrobial activity against E.

coli and S.

aureus was 5.8 and 5.6, respectively, exceeding the antimicrobial testing standards JIS Z 2801.

The above results indicated that the Ag/Pebax Ⓡ composite was a promising antimicrobial material that can be used in many applications.