Development of a nanocomposite of polypropylene with biocide action from silver nanoparticles

ABSTRACT This article presents the production of films based on blends of polypropylene (PP) and modified PP with the insertion of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) produced to generate a bactericidal effect. The 50/50 blend of PP and PP modified by irradiation in acetylene at a dose of 12.5 kGy was processed in a twin‐screw extruder. The addition of AgNPs in poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) (PVP) solution was performed during processing in the extruder. The material was characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, cytotoxicity assay, and a reduction in colony‐forming units. The PP–PVP1% AgNP film showed silver particles in the nanoscale, presented no cytotoxicity for mammalian cells, and presented antimicrobial effects against Gram‐negative Escherichia coli and Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42218.