Characterization, Properties and Antimicrobial Activity of Radiation Induced Phosphorus-Containing PVA Hydrogels

Abstract

AbstractFunction modification of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) having phosphorus-containing heterocyclic compounds is believed to have thermal and biological applications in the area of polymers. The synthesis of phosphorus-containing PVA (P-PVA) was performed using γ-radiation. The chemical structure of the composite polymer is confirmed by spectroscopic techniques of FT-IR,1H,13C, and31P-NMR. Photosensitive properties of polymers were investigated by ultraviolet spectroscopy. Thermal studies are assigned using the Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Data display that P-PVA has more thermal stability than PVA. The surface morphology of the prepared hydrogels was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Quantitative elemental analysis of the P-PVA hydrogel was done through energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Antimicrobial activity of the prepared hydrogels using different fungi such asAspergillus fumigatus, Geotrichum candidum, Candida albicans,andSyncephal-astrum racemosum,in addition to bacteria such asStaphylococcus aureus, Bacillis subtilis(as gram-positive bacteria),Pseudomonas aeruginosa,andEscherichia coli(as gram-negative bacteria), was studied. The phosphorus-contained PVA hydrogels were found to have antimicrobial activity against various fungi and bacteria compared to pure PVA hydrogels.