Effect of silver loading on optical and antibacterial behavior of Poly(methyl methacrylate)

The main aim of this study is to investigate the optical behavior and antibacterial activity of Poly(methyl methacrylate)/silver nanocomposite. In this paper, thin films of PMMA/Ag nanocomposites were synthesized by reduction method using dimethyl formamide as a solvent as well as reducing agent and Triton X-100 as a stabilizer. The morphological study was carried out using FESEM and TEM. The presence of Ag nanoparticles confirmed through EDX spectroscopy. The study reveals that the particles are of spherical shape and are of nanometer size. The time dependant UV absorption spectra of silver nanocomposites were determined by UV absorption spectrophotometer and their surface plasmon resonance (SPR) behavior is studied. The antibacterial activity was investigated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) bacteriae. Zone of inhibition was increased with increasing concentration of Ag nanoparticles.