Highly effective and sustainable antibacterial membranes synthesized using biodegradable polymers. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiang, Shanxue; Li, Qirun; Wang, Fang; Wang, Zeru; Cao, Xinyue; Shen, Xianbao; Yao, Zhiliang
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 291:Part 3(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Biodegradable polymers -- Cellulose derivative -- Antibacterial materials -- Silver particle -- Food safety -- Plastic pollution; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133106
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: In order to reduce foodborne diseases caused by bacterial infections, antibacterial membranes have received increasing research interests in recent years. In this study, highly effective antibacterial membranes were prepared using biodegradable polymers, including polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The cation exchange property of CMC was utilized to introduce silver to prepare antibacterial materials. The presence of silver in the membranes was confirmed by EDS mapping, and the reduction of silver ions to metallic silver was confirmed by the Ag3d XPS spectrum which displayed peaks at 374.46 eV and 368.45 eV, revealing that the oxidation state of silver changed to zero. Two common pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) and Escherichia coli ( E. coli ), were used to investigate the antibacterial performance of the prepared membranes. Zone of inhibition and bacteria-killing tests revealed that the antibacterial membranes were efficient in inhibiting the growth of bacteria (diameters of inhibition zone ranged from 16 mm to 19 mm for fresh membranes) and capable of killing 100% of bacteria under suitable conditions. Furthermore, after 6 cycles of continuous zone of inhibition tests, the membranes still showed noticeable antibacterial activities, which disclosed the sustainable antibacterial properties of the membranes. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Highly effective membranes with sustainable antibacterial performance are prepared. The antibacterial materials are prepared via ion exchange coupled with reduction. All of the polymers used for membrane preparation are biodegradable. The membranes are capable of killing 100% of bacteria under suitable conditions.