Abstract
M.Tech. (Chemistry)
This work focused on the in-situ decoration of polyethersulfone (PES) nanofiber
mats with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using an electrospinning technique. The
biocidal and organic properties of the Ag decorated nanofibers were evaluated.
Electrospinning of Ag decorated nanofibers was also carried out on a mixed matrix
membrane support composed of nitrogen doped carbon nanotube (N-CNTs) and
PES to fabricate a unique bi-faceted membrane. PES was dissolved in a solution containing silver nitrate (AgNO3) and N,Ndimethylacetamide (DMAc). The polymer solution was dissolved at 80ºC for 3 h under reflux until a yellow homogeneous solution was obtained which indicated the in-situ formation of AgNPs. The polymer solution was cooled and stored to remove air-bubbles. An ultraviolet - visible (UV – Vis) spectrometer was used to confirm the presence of AgNPs, while a Malvern nanosizer was used to estimate the size distribution of the AgNPs in the PES polymer matrix. The solution was electrospun on an aluminium (foil) collecting plate. Biocidal properties of the material were evaluated using Gram-positive (G+) Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and ram-negative (G-) Escherichia coli (E. coli) by the zone inhibition method. The silver decorated polyethersulfone nanofibers showed good antibacterial activity against both G+ S. aureus and G- E. coli.