One-step coagulation to construct durable anti-fouling and antibacterial cellulose film exploiting Ag@AgCl nanoparticle- triggered photo-catalytic degradation

An anti-fouling and antibacterial surface of cellulose film was obtained by one-step coagulation of the cellulose-LiCl/Dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) solution with AgNO3 and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). The AgCl nanocrystals were embedded on the surface of cellulose film with the assistance of PVP, and the Ag@AgCl was formed due to the partly decomposition of AgCl under the visible-light irradiation. Morphology and size of the Ag@AgCl in cellulose matrix could be regulated by changing the concentration of PVP. From a series of comparative tests, Ag@AgCl could be stably embedded on cellulose film at the concentration of 1 wt% PVP, and its photo-degradation efficiency could be still retained 89% after 5-cycle testing. Meanwhile, a dramatic reduction in viable bacteria was also observed within 120 min of exposure on this film, and when exposure time was 180 min, no active bacteria was observed. This work provided a simple pathway to construct the functional cellulose film which could be applied as packaging materials.