Ecofriendly synthesis of cellulose-silver nanocomposites and the evaluation of their antibacterial activity

Abstract

Abstract The integration of nanotechnology into cellulose matrices has gained considerable attention due to the resulting enhanced mechanical, thermal, and antibacterial properties. In this work, we report on a facile and environment-friendly microwave method to prepare cellulose/Ag nanocomposites using palm date wood extract as an effective reductant for silver ion onto surface of cellulose. In order to obtain cellulose microfiber (MFC) from date palm wood fibers, a succession of specific chemical treatments including alkalization and whitening treatment have been developed. Cellulose obtained have been characterized by different techniques. FTIR spectra confirmed the removal of non-cellulosic components after chemical treatments and DRX confirmed the presence of cellulose pics. Experimental results indicated that the palm date wood extract was an effective reductant for silver ions favoring the formation of silver with higher crystallinity and mass content in the nanocomposites. Silver nanoparticles were identified within the cellulose matrix through Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM). The FTIR characterization studies demonstrated the existence of silver in the cellulose nanocomposites. Additionally, the XRD analysis confirmed the formation of silver peaks within these composites. Qualitative antibacterial tests towards gram negative (Escherichia coli) and gram positive (Micrococcus luteus) bacteria are carried out and the results demonstrated that the Ag-MFCs inhibit the bacteria growth, with 9–13 mm of inhibition zone for the both bacteria. These results demonstrated that the Ag-MFC possess suitable and promising antibacterial behavior and could be used for industrial and technological application.