Preparation and application of antibacterial magnetic nanosilver chitosan composites

The antibacterial composite chitosan/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)/Ag/Fe3O4 was prepared to treat drinking water. The results show that the optimal conditions for preparing composite with the best antibacterial activity are C(AgNO3) = 0.8%, C(chitosan) = 1.5%, C(poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)) = 2%, and C(Fe3O4) = 2.5%. The FT‐IR spectrum suggests that hydrogen bands are formed between acetyl in PVP and hydroxyl in chitosan. The NH and OH groups of the chitosan have some interactions with silver nano‐particles. The SEM and XRD data show that Ag (I) is reduced to metal Ag nanoparticles. Vibrating sample magnetometer testing indicated that the composites have excellent magnetic performance. Their utility in storing drinking water shows that this composite is a safe and durable durative antibacterial. The composite has good antibacterial activity in water. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 1067–1073, 2017