Fabrication, Characterization and Antibacterial Study of Polyvinyl alcohol/Cuprous Oxide Nanofluids and Polymer Nanocomposite Films

Abstract

Nanofluid-a term coined by Choi (1995) is obtained by the colloidal suspension of nanoparticles (NPs) like metal oxides, metals, fullerene, graphene, carbon nanotube, etc. in a base fluid such as water, plant extract, polymer solution, etc. Polymer nanocomposites(PNCs) are developed by homogeneous dispersion of NPs in a solution of polymer or copolymer. Here the focus is on the synthesis of cuprous oxide (Cu 2 O) nanoparticles at room temperature using aqueous leaves extract of Calotropis gigantea. L. via chemical reduction route and development of poly (vinyl alcohol) PVA-cuprous oxide (Cu 2 O) nanofluids (NFs) and nanocomposite films. The NFs and nanocomposite films so fabricated were subjected to characterization by spectrophotometers, diffractometer, High resolution microscope, and disk diffusion antibacterial test. UV-Visible spectrum shows a characteristic broad absorption band observed near 470 nm suggesting presence of cuprous oxide NPs in the NFs. The shift in the vibrational band of -OH group of PVA in the presence of metal oxide NPs reveals chemical interaction between -OH group of PVA and NPs. XRD study suggests the occurrence of Cu 2 O NPs in the PNC film and NPs are crystalline in nature. SEM image shows the presence of agglomerated NPs in a polymer matrix. From the antibacterial study, it is found that NPs in aqueous plant extract without PVA exhibits superior antibacterial activity in comparison to NPs in presence of PVA polymer.

Biodegradable Polymer Nanoparticles: Therapeutic Applications and Challenges

“…A few for mulations are gradually incorporating nanotechnology's advantages 29,30 . Particularly, biodegradable NPs reveal extraordinary flexibility of action in the medical field.…”