Abstract
Nanocomposites for Additive Manufacturing (AM) featuring enhanced mechanical properties and antibacterial performance are desirable in the medical and culinary fields. Silver nitrate was introduced as a reinforcement and antibacterial agent in a medical-grade polyamide 12 (PA12) for the preparation of PA12/Ag nanocomposites for the material extrusion (MEX) AM method, with a reactive melt mixing process. Polyethylene glycol and polyvinylpyrrolidone were introduced into the mixture as reduction agents. The chemical reaction occurred during the filament extrusion. Samples compatible with the corresponding international standards were 3D printed and sixteen tests were performed to characterize the nanocomposites for their rheological, thermal, mechanical, and antibacterial properties. The mechanical reinforcement reached 26% in the tensile test, 24.2% in the compression test, and 26.1% in the flexural test, with similar improvement in the stiffness of the material in all tests. These results were achieved by the PA12/ 5.0% AgNO3 / 2.5% PEG nanocomposite. The biocidal activity of Ag was induced in the nanocomposites, as the tests against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus showed. The process followed can be easily scaled up for industrial use.
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