Synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial activity of poly(acrylonitrile-co-methyl methacrylate) with silver nanoparticles.

M R El-Aassar, Elsayed E Hafez, Moustafa M G Fouda, Salem S Al-Deyab

Index: Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 171(3) , 643-54, (2013)

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Abstract

Nanotechnology is expected to open some new aspects to fight and prevent diseases using atomic-scale tailoring of materials. The main aim of this study is to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Trichoderma viride (HQ438699); the metabolite of this fungus will help either in reduction of the silver nitrate-adding active materials which will be loaded on the surface of the produced AgNPs. Poly(acrylonitrile-co-methyl methacrylate) copolymer (poly (AN-co-MMA)) was grafted with the prepared AgNPs. The poly(AN-co-MMA)/AgNPs were examined against ten different pathogenic bacterial strains, and the result was compared with another four different generic antibiotics. The produced poly(AN-co-MMA)/AgNPs showed high antibacterial activity compared with the four standard antibiotics. Moreover, the grafting of these AgNPs into the copolymer has potential application in the biomedical field.