Turning wastes into value‐added materials: Polystyrene nanocomposites (PS‐AgNPs) from waste thermocol and green synthesized silver nanoparticles for water disinfection application

Abstract

AbstractDue to the scarcity of clean water, scientists worldwide are keen to develop cost‐effective, non‐toxic and eco‐friendly water disinfection systems. Achieving proper disinfection without creating harmful byproducts for removing or inactivating waterborne pathogens is the main challenge. In this respect, polystyrene (PS) nanocomposites find wide applications in water storage, food packaging material, transportation, medicine, and so forth. The addition of nanoparticles such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into PS enhances its mechanical properties, gas barrier properties, thermal stability, and so forth. This study reports the development of PS‐AgNPs composite using green synthesized AgNPs and waste thermocol. Firstly, the green synthesized AgNPs were prepared in different concentrations and embedded accordingly into the PS matrix. The morphology of PS‐AgNPs nanocomposites was studied using Field Emission Transmission Scanning Microscopy (FESEM) and Field Emission Transmission Electron Microscopy (FETEM). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to evaluate the prepared nanocomposites' surface chemical bonding and surface composition. The thermal property of the nanocomposites was investigated by Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The tensile strength of the composites was also estimated. These PS‐AgNPs nanocomposites showed an antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli, a disease‐causing gram‐negative bacteria commonly found in water. Among them, the PS‐AgNPs cup encapsulating 10% AgNPs showed optimum tensile strength and bacteria disinfection property. These nanocomposites have been utilized to prepare cups as a model of water tank for water storage having disinfection properties.