Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) [EVA] and silver-calcined scallop shell powder (Ag-CS) based composite (EVA/Ag-CS) films were synthesized by wet phase inversion method. The composite films were characterized by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), water sorption test, and contact angle measurement. The functional properties such as photocatalytic and antibacterial properties were also studied in detail. Calcined scallop shell powder, which mainly contains CaO and Ca(OH)2 was prepared from a naturally occurring scallop shell by the sol–gel method. Silver-calcined scallop shell powder was prepared by the reduction of silver nitrate solution in the presence of calcined scallop shell powder. It was found that composite with a 6 wt% Ag-CS showed 5% better tensile strength and improved thermal properties than the pristine EVA. The incorporation of Ag-CS imparts photocatalytic property to EVA polymer matrix. Kinetics study showed that the photocatalytic process takes place through a pseudo-first-order manner. The antibacterial study of the prepared samples was tested by the agar-disc diffusion method. The composites are found to be good antibacterial material against Staphillococus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria.

Silver-doped polyaniline–polyvinyl chloride (PVC) nanocomposite films (Ag.PANI–PVC) were synthesized by non-solvent-induced phase inversion method. The nanomaterials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet, and field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis. Thermal stability and tensile strength of the Ag-doped and undoped PANI–PVC films were studied. The photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposites on methylene blue dye under visible light was evaluated at different initial concentrations of the dye. Silver-doped nanocomposites exhibited excellent photodegradation efficiency. The kinetics of photocatalysis fit well to the pseudo first-order model. Antibacterial performance of the samples was tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria by agar disc diffusion method. It was observed that Ag.PANI–PVC and Ag.PANI have antagonistic effects against the growth of gram-positive bacteria ( S. aureus) and gram-negative bacteria ( E. coli) with inhibition zones in the range of 10–35 mm.

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