Catalytic and antibacterial activities of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles on electrospun polystyrene nanofiber membranes using tea polyphenols

Abstract

An efficient and environmentally friendly method has been developed to prepare Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) coated tea polyphenols/polystyrene (Ag-TP/PS) nanofiber membrane, which combines electrospinning and in situ reduction of [Ag(NH3)2]+ using TP as the reductant and stabilizer. In this method, TP/Pluronic/PS nanofiber membranes are fabricated by electrospinning and then immersed in the aqueous solution of [Ag(NH3)2]+. While TP is being released from TP/Pluronic/PS nanofibers, the surface of TP/Pluronic/PS nanofibers could function as reactive sites for reduction of [Ag(NH3)2]+ without any extra reagents. XRD results indicate that AgNPs thus formed are in metallic form of Ag0. SEM images show that AgNPs can be densely and uniformly coated on the surface of TP/Pluronic/PS nanofibers. The as-prepared Ag-TP/PS nanofiber membranes exhibit excellent catalytic properties for the degradation of methylene blue. Furthermore, the effect of [Ag(NH3)2]+ concentration on the morphology and catalytic activity of the membrane is investigated. In addition, the antibacterial assays reveal that Ag-TP/PS nanofiber membrane possesses extraordinary antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli microorganisms. The free-standing membrane is flexible and easy to handle, which is promising for potential applications in catalysis, antibacterial agents and water remediation fields.