Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of polyindole/ZrO2 nanocomposites

Abstract

Conducting polymeric nanocomposites play a vital role in the recent research due their potential applications in various fields. Polyindole is one of the promising polymeric materials posses required physico-chemical properties to meet demands of material research. The properties of polyindole can be tuned for desired properties by mixing with metals, metal oxides and other materials. In this investigation, we report the synthesis of Polyindole (PIn), nano Zirconia (nZrO2) and PIn/ZrO2 nano composite and their characterization. Polyindole was prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization method by using ferric chloride and tartaric acid. Nano Zirconium oxide nanoparticles were prepared from zirconium oxychloride by adding aqueous solution of ammonia to zirconium oxychloride solution at room temperature. Then nanocomposites of polyindole (PIn)/ZrO2 was prepared by solution mixing method. The morphology of ZrO2 nano particle, PIn and the nanocomposite was studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The chemical structure of ZrO2 nano particle, PIn and the nanocomposite were characterized by FTIR, UV–Visible, and NMR spectroscopy. The elemental analysis and chemical characterization were demonstrated by means of EDAX technique. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) technique was used to determine the degree of crystallinity and crystallite sizes. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) shows that the polymer and its nanocomposites were stable at high temperatures. The antimicrobial properties of the prepared polymer composites were examined and interpreted.