Synthesis of Silver and Gold Nanoparticles in Sodium Alginate Matrix Enriched with Graphene Oxide and Investigation of Properties of the Obtained Thin Films

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites containing nanometals became a subject of interest due to their bactericidal properties. Different polysaccharides have been used as matrices for nanosilver and nanogold synthesis. In this study, we present a novel, environmentally friendly method for the preparation of sodium alginate/nanosilver/graphene oxide (GOX) and sodium alginate/nanogold/graphene oxide GOX nanocomposites and their characteristics. The formation of approximately 10–20 nm ball-shaped Ag and Au nanoparticles was confirmed by UV–vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. The incorporation of GOX sheets within the ALG matrix improved the thermal stability of the nanocomposites film, which was measured using the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). We also estimated the molecular weights of polysaccharide chains of the matrix with the size exclusion chromatography coupled with multiangle laser light scattering and refractometric detectors (HPSEC-MALLS-RI). The composites were more prone to enzymatic hydrolysis. The strongest bacteriostatic activity was observed for the sample containing nanosilver.