Triad CNT-NPs/Polymer Nanocomposites: Fabrication, Characterization, and Preliminary Antimicrobial Study

We report a comprehensive study of fabrication of advanced CNT-AgNPs/Polymer based nanocomposites (NCs) including structural (UV-Vis, FT-Raman, EDS, and XRD), morphological (FE-SEM, AFM, and TEM), thermal (TGA and DSC), and preliminary antimicrobial properties. Electrostatic attraction was utilized to incorporate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on carboxylic group functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). This was achieved by in-situ reduction of AgNO3 and immobilization of AgNPs using NaBH4 (reductant) under ultrasonication. As fabricated, AgNPs-SWCNTs were then reacted separately with various kinds of polymers such as DNA (bio-polymer), methacryl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (MA-POSS inorganic elastomer), and poly vinyl alcohol (PVA organic polymer) in presence of anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Obtained results ensure the successful incorporation of AgNPs and hybridization of different polymers on SWCNTs, respectively. Reaction mechanism involved between the SWCNTs, AgNPs, and polymers were significantly explained. Fundamental antimicrobial screening of NCs meets the requirement of biomedical application. Further, the resulted nanocomposites might have a promising role in reinforcement, coating, nanofillers, and as substrate additives for multiple studies.