Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-13-2015

Abstract

This study presents the successful development of cellulose fiber based membranes embedded with silver nanoparticles. These fine fiber membranes were developed utilizing the Forcespinning (FS) technique followed by alkaline hydrolysis treatment. The fiber morphology, homogeneity and yield were optimized by varying spinning parameters such as polymer concentration and angular velocity of the spinnerets. The structure, thermal and mechanical properties, and water absorption capability of the developed membranes were investigated. The cellulose acetate (CA) present in the membrane was converted to cellulose in the presence of embedded silver nanoparticles by alkaline hydrolysis. The silver nanoparticles embedded cellulose membrane exhibits outstanding water absorption capacity with fast uptake rate. Its high porosity, three-dimensional network structure with wellinterconnected pores, as well as the intrinsically highly hydrophilic nature of cellulose material greatly favor its potential application as wound dressings. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the disk diffusion method. The composite membranes exhibit excellent antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, owing to the slow and sustained release of embedded silver nanoparticles.

Comments

© 2016, De Gruyter. Original published version available at https://doi.org/10.1515/polyeng-2015-0092

Publication Title

Journal of Polymer Engineering

DOI

10.1515/polyeng-2015-0092

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.