Antifouling and antimicrobial polyethersulfone/hyperbranched polyester-amide/Ag composite

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Antifouling and antibacterial materials are crucial for various applications.
• Polyethersulfone (PES) is a versatile polymer, but its native properties require enhancement for specific functionalities.
• Developing composite materials with integrated antimicrobial properties is an active area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a facile method for creating antifouling and antibacterial polyethersulfone (PES) composite films.
• To utilize hyperbranched polyester-amide (PESAM) as a reducing and capping agent for in situ silver nanoparticle (AgNP) formation.
• To investigate the properties and antibacterial efficacy of the developed composite film.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using PESAM as a reducing and capping agent.
• Fabrication of free-standing composite films (PES/PESAM/Ag) via the phase inversion method.
• Characterization of AgNPs and composite films using FTIR, UV-vis, SEM, TEM, XRD, EDX, and contact angle measurements.

Main Results:

• AgNPs were successfully synthesized with a narrow size distribution (approx. 6 nm) and formed in situ within the PES matrix.
• The inclusion of PESAM enhanced the hydrophilicity of the composite film.
• The PES/PESAM/Ag composite film demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Conclusions:

• A facile and effective approach for creating antifouling and antibacterial PES composite films was established.
• The developed composite films show promise for applications requiring antimicrobial surfaces, such as desalination membranes and active packaging.
• The in situ formation of AgNPs within the PES matrix offers a robust method for imparting durable antimicrobial properties.