Abstract
Background: The spread of bacterial infections has become a growing concern to human beings particularly in the medical and food packaging industry. Such infection may also result due to the adhesion of microbes from the environment. Polyvinyl chloride is a versatile polymer used in medical devices and food packaging materials, need to be modified to enhance antibacterial activity.
Objective: The main focus of the present work was to prepare polymer nanocomposite based on polyvinylchloride to prevent bacterial infections.
Method: Polyvinyl chloride/Polyester/bentonite clay composite films were prepared using the solution casting method. The morphological properties of synthesized nanocomposite films were studied using XRD, SEM, and AFM, whereas biological activity is evaluated by bacterial adhesion study.
Results: The results showed that intercalation of clay present in nanocomposite films and SEM analysis showed agglomeration of clay material due to high filler loading. The antibacterial adhesion study showed the antibacterial activity of polymer nanocomposite films, which is further confirmed by surface roughness values by AFM study.
Conclusion: Our result showed that such polymer nanocomposite films were useful in medical and food packaging applications.
Keywords: AFM study, dual AO/Etbr staining, polymer nanocomposite films, polyvinyl chloride, surface bacterial adhesion, SEM analysis.
Graphical Abstract
6