Microwave Irradiation Synthesis and Characterization of Reduced-(Graphene Oxide-(Polystyrene-Polymethyl Methacrylate))/Silver Nanoparticle Nanocomposites and their Anti-Microbial Activity.

Mohammad A. Aldosari,Edreese Asharaeh,Nadimul Haque Faisal,Feven Mattwes Michael,Mohammed Al-Hindawi,Khaled Bin Bandar Alsaud,Rehan Ahmed,Ali Othman,Mohan Raj Krishnan

doi:10.3390/polym12051155

Mohammad A. Aldosari, Edreese Asharaeh + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12051155

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Abstract

Herein, we report a facile process for the preparation of styrene and methyl-methacrylate copolymer nanocomposites containing reduced graphene oxide and silver nanoparticles ((R-(GO-(PS-PMMA))/AgNPs)) by using (i) microwave irradiation (MWI) to obtain R-(GO-(PS-PMMA))/AgNPs and (ii) the in situ bulk polymerization technique to produce RGO/AgNPs-(PS-PMMA). Various characterization techniques, including FT-IR, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, HR-TEM, DSC, and TGA analysis, were used to characterize the prepared nanocomposites. The Berkovich nanoindentation method was employed to determine the hardness and elastic modulus of the nanocomposites. The results showed that the MWI-produced nanocomposites were found to have enhanced morphological, structural, and thermal properties compared with those of the nanocomposites prepared by the in situ method. In addition, the antibacterial activity of the prepared nanocomposites against the E. coli HB 101 K-12 was investigated, whereby an inhibition zone of 3 mm (RGO/AgNPs-(PS-PMMA) and 27 mm (R-(GO-(PS-PMMA))/AgNPs) was achieved. This indicates that the MWI-prepared nanocomposite has stronger antibacterial activity than the in situ-prepared nanocomposite.

Highlights

In recent years, the preparation of novel systems by incorporating metal nanoparticles into the polymer matrix has been used to obtain smart materials with unique physical and mechanical properties
There are no reports on copolymer nanocomposites that are functionalized by the in situ microwave irradiation (MWI) method with reduced graphene oxide containing silver nanoparticles (RGO/AgNPs) as filler
Were successfully incorporated within coco-polymer matrices using in situ polymerization the microwave irradiation method

Summary

Introduction

The preparation of novel systems by incorporating metal nanoparticles into the polymer matrix has been used to obtain smart materials with unique physical and mechanical properties. DNA screening [12], biosensors [13], and antimicrobial applications [14]. Enhancement of their properties depends on the type of polymer, the size distribution, and the extent of the dispersion of nanoparticles and the interfacial interaction between the filler and polymer [15]. A facile method has been reported for the in situ preparation of PS-RGO, PMMA-RGO, and PS-PMMA copolymers containing graphene sheets [16,17,18]. There are no reports on copolymer nanocomposites that are functionalized by the in situ microwave irradiation (MWI) method with reduced graphene oxide containing silver nanoparticles (RGO/AgNPs) as filler

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