Hydroxyethyl cellulose/bacterial cellulose cryogel dopped silver@titanium oxide nanoparticles: Antimicrobial activity and controlled release of Tebuconazole fungicide

Abstract

Cryogel materials are composed of porous and lightweight structures that can be used for many industrial applications, particularly, in agriculture for the controlled release of Tebuconazole fungicide. Accordingly, we prepared environmentally friendly cryogel using natural polymers such hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and bacterial cellulose (BC). The cryogel was formed by blending aqueous solutions of both HEC and BC, which was then crosslinked with glyoxal and the mixture was underwent to drying using freeze drying technique. Different concentrations of the as prepared silver@titanium oxide nanoparticles (Ag@TiO2NPs) were incorporated within the cryogel formation in order to increase its antimicrobial efficiency. A mode pesticide Tebuconazole was encapsulated in the cryogel platform in order to control the release of Tebuconazole. Thus, the developed cryogel which was porous, cheap and had an antimicrobial effect, controlled pesticide release suggesting that it is a potential candidate for agricultural applications.