Dopa-based facile procedure to synthesize AgNP/cellulose nanofiber composite for antibacterial applications

Abstract

Herein we present our research on synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on cellulose nanofibers (CN) by a facile procedure using dopamine hydrochloride (Dopa), as reducing agent. The CN were produced by deacetylation of electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) nanofibers. The CN were then treated with 2 mg/mL of Dopa in 1 M Tris HCl buffer (pH 8.5) followed by soaking in 150 mM AgNO3 solution for generation of AgNPs. The samples were characterized with SEM, XRD, FESEM, EDX, XPS, TEM, FTIR analysis and antibacterial assays. Synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed by XRD, XPS and TEM analysis. The TEM images demonstrated CNAgNP samples well decorated with AgNPs. Sizes of the spherical AgNPs, calculated by Debye–Scherrer method, were 20 nm. Antibacterial test results confirmed excellent bacterial growth inhibition properties of CNAgNP on agar plates and in liquid medium against E. coli and S. aureus strains. The relative cell viability (CFU/mL) test results demonstrated excellent bactericidal potential of the CNAgNP samples against the tested strains. The CNAgNP prepared by an environmentally benign process would thus be a promising nano-biocomposite for antibacterial applications.