Abstract
Our long-term goal is to develop a hybrid cellulose-copper nanoparticle material as a functional nanofiller to be incorporated in thermoplastic resins for efficiently improving their antimicrobial properties. In this study, copper nanoparticles were first synthesized through chemical reduction of cupric ions on TEMPO nanofibrillated cellulose (TNFC) template using borohydride as a copper reducing agent. The resulting hybrid material was embedded into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix using a solvent casting method. The morphology of TNFC-copper nanoparticles was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM); spherical copper nanoparticles with average size of 9.2 ± 2.0 nm were determined. Thermogravimetric analysis and antimicrobial performance of the films were evaluated. Slight variations in thermal properties between the nanocomposite films and PVA resin were observed. Antimicrobial analysis demonstrated that one-week exposure of nonpathogenic Escherichia coli DH5α to the nanocomposite films results in up to 5-log microbial reduction.
Highlights
In the Appalachian region there is a vast amount of low-value, low-quality hardwood that can potentially be used as feedstock for novel bioproducts
All the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/TEMPO nanofibrillated cellulose (TNFC)-Cu composite films exhibited four distinct weight loss stages at 30–210∘C, 210–230∘C, 230– 380∘C, and 380– 550∘C
Major weight losses were observed in the range of 210–550∘C, which corresponded to the structural decomposition of PVA and Particle size
Summary
In the Appalachian region there is a vast amount of low-value, low-quality hardwood that can potentially be used as feedstock for novel bioproducts. Based on our preliminary results [1], one interesting application is the utilization of micro- and nanostructures of cellulose as templates and stabilizers for biocide nanoparticles with emphasis of application as antimicrobial nanocomposites in the packaging and/or medical industry. Metals, such as copper and silver, are relatively common antimicrobial materials that can be incorporated as nanomaterials in thermoplastic films for packaging and/or medical industry [2,3,4]; to avoid leaching, to improve metal dispersion, and to improve the contact between the metal and the bacterial wall a supportive material might be required. Our own preliminary findings provide evidence that these cellulose nanofibers could be used as support materials for copper nanoparticles improving the antimicrobial properties of the films
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