Characterization of flame coated nanoparticle surfaces with antibacterial properties and the heat-induced embedding in thermoplastic-coated paper

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles deposited on surfaces can provide an antibacterial effect with potential uses in, for example, healthcare settings. However, release of nanoparticles and their potential exposure to the environment is of concern. The current work demonstrates a continuous synthesis that simultaneously deposits silver nanoparticles onto plastic coated paper surface by utilizing the liquid flame spray (LFS) aerosol process. Heat from LFS is used to soften the thermoplastic paper surface, which enables partial and full embedding of the nanoparticles, thereby improving adhesion. The embedding is confirmed with atomic force and scanning electron microscopy, and the deposited silver amounts are quantified with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results suggest that embedding was more effective in PE-coated paper samples due to the lower glass transition temperature when compared to PET-coated paper samples. The antibacterial properties of the surfaces against E. coli and S. aureus were maintained and confirmed with a previously developed 'Touch-Test Method'. The LFS process has the potential to be used for large-scale manufacturing of antibacterial surfaces with improved nanoparticle adhesion on appropriately chosen thermoplastic surfaces.

Gold Nanoparticles: A Didactic Step-by-Step of the Synthesis Using the Turkevich Method, Mechanisms, and Characterizations

“…In these images, it was possible to observe individual spherical nanoparticles and their aggregates. The average diameter of the AuNPs measured from the images was approximately 11-19 nm [48,49].…”

High-speed production of antibacterial fabrics using liquid flame spray

“…However, the main objective of the plasma coating was to improve the nanoparticle adhesion, as demonstrated in our previous study on glass where contact mode AFM measurement was used to scratch the surface of samples to observe the loss of silver nanoparticles in a particular location. 11 The aesthetic properties of the samples were slightly altered, especially when the plasma coating thickness increased. It was clearly seen from the images that fabric I was a woven fabric.…”

“…A thin plasma coating is used to improve the nanoparticle adhesion and antibacterial properties are determined. 11,39 Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used for surface imaging and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is used to determine the silver amount on the fabric surfaces.…”

“…This has been used to produce silver nanoparticles onto paper and glass surfaces. [9][10][11] Furthermore, superhydrophobic paper boards have been produced using LFS. 12,13 LFS produces no effluents in the nanoparticle production process and nanoparticle production speeds up to 300 m/min have been demonstrated.…”