In Situ Synthesis of Oil-Based Polymer/Silver Nanocomposites by Photoinduced Electron Transfer and Free Radical Polymerization Processes

In this study, in situ synthesis of oil-based polymer-silver nanocomposites was achieved by using photoinduced free radical polymerization processes in which silver nanoparticles were formed by electron transfer reaction. An oil-based macromonomer was prepared and then copolymerized with styrene in the presence of AgNO3. Copolymerization was started with free radicals formed by photolysis of 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenyl acetophenone and simultaneously silver nitrate was reduced to metallic silver in nanosize by electron transfer reaction. The amount of photoinitiator influenced the size of silver nanoparticles formed within the polymer films. Nanocomposite films were characterized by TEM and TGA analysis. The obtained polymer nanocomposite film was also examined in respect of surface coating material that would have an antibacterial effect against Gram-positive, Gram-negative and spore-forming bacteria. It was demonstrated that suitably coated nanocomposite samples exhibited an antibacterial effect against these bacteria. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2010