Page 440 - Polymer-based Nanocomposites for Energy and Environmental Applications

Development of polymer 14

nanocomposites using cellulose/

silver for antifouling applications:

A preliminary investigations of

silver-coated cellulose composite

film for antifouling applications

†
‡
L. Muthulakshmi*, N. Rajini*, H. Nellaiah , T. Kathiresan*, B. Anand Kumar ,
A. Varada Rajalu*
†
*Kalasalingam University, Krishnankoil, India, Bangalore Biotech Labs (BiOZEEN),
‡
Bangalore, India, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, India

14.1 Introduction

Microorganisms have the ability to adhere to and form a biofilm on any surface. The
growth of the biofilm may cause problems like depletion of atmospheric gases; severe
diseases; and, in case of industrial environments, issues such as biofouling,
biocorrosion, equipment damage, and product contamination [1]. Scopel et al. [2]
reported biofilm formation on medical devices such as catheters, prostheses, and
implants, and diseases like cystic fibrosis, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, otitis, prosta-
titis, periodontitis, and conjunctivitis have increased interest in biofilm research.
Organisms can adhere to and form biofilms on surfaces such as plastic, glass, stainless
steel, or rubber [3]. Silver nanoparticles act as a biocidal agent when impregnated into
polymeric material. Biomedical devices like catheters have been coated with silver
(Ag), plasma-polymerized aniline (PPAni), and Ag-PPAni composites and evaluated
for their antibiofilm properties against Escherichia coli. Coating of catheters with
aniline and silver enhances their antifouling effects [4]. Similarly, TiO 2 -loaded
nanoparticles decrease bacterial growth in the dark. Polycaprolactone-titania
nanocomposites effectively decrease colony growth of E. coli and Staphylococcus
aureus [5]. Polyurethane and polysulfone membrane polymers were coated with
1,2,3 triazole and palladium nanoparticles that prevent biofilm formation by Pseudo-
monas aeruginosa on surfaces [6]. Akhavan [7] investigated the high bactericidal
activity of self-accumulated Ag nanoparticles on mesoporous TiO 2 thin films.
Recently, effective biomaterials possessing good antimicrobial activity and redu-
cing microbial attachment to surfaces have been developed. One of these is the

Polymer-based Nanocomposites for Energy and Environmental Applications. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102262-7.00014-3
Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.