article · Polymers
Bioactive nanocomposite films were prepared by combining poly vinyl alcohol, chitosan, and zinc oxide nanoparticles using an environmentally friendly method based on solution mixing and solvent evaporation. Structural analyses confirmed that the polymer blend encapsulated the nanoparticles through intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the components. The addition of zinc oxide nanoparticles improved the thermal properties of the films, raising their glass transition and melting temperatures while providing superior resistance to thermal breakdown. Optical testing demonstrated enhanced linear and nonlinear optical parameters alongside a reduction in the optical bandgap from 4.43 eV down to 3.55 eV. Furthermore, the nanocomposites displayed notable antibacterial action against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with greater effectiveness observed against Gram-positive strains.
Conventional synthetic polymers often lack both natural antimicrobial performance and the optical tunability required for advanced devices. By blending biodegradable chitosan with poly vinyl alcohol and zinc oxide nanoparticles through an eco-friendly process, this research yields multi-functional materials. These materials combine improved heat resistance, tuned optical behaviours, and natural germ-fighting qualities within a single, adaptable polymer system.
This work points to potential applications in optoelectronic devices and antibacterial materials. Manufacturers developing optical components, active coatings, or antimicrobial films could utilise these findings. Because the research remains at an early stage of laboratory preparation and material characterisation, extensive testing, process scale-up, and real-world durability evaluations will be required before any commercial transition.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
The preparation of poly (vinyl alcohol)/chitosan/ZnO (PVA/Cs/ZnO) nanocomposite films as bioactive nanocomposites was implemented through an environmentally friendly approach that included mixing, solution pouring, and solvent evaporation. The nanocomposite films were characterized using various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The XRD study revealed the encapsulation of nanoparticles by the PVA/Cs blend matrix. The DSC results showed that the addition of ZnO NPs increased glass transition and melting temperature values of the PVA/Cs blend. ATR-FTIR spectra detected an irregular shift (either red or blue) in some of the characteristic bands of the PVA/Cs nanocomposite, indicating the existence of intra/intermolecular hydrogen bonding creating an interaction between the OH groups of PVA/Cs and ZnO nanoparticles. A thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis demonstrated that the nanocomposites achieved better thermal resistance than a pure PVA/Cs blend and its thermal stability was enhanced with increasing concentration of ZnO nanoparticles. UV analysis showed that with an increase in the content of ZnO NPs, the optical bandgap of PVA/Cs was decreased from 4.43 eV to 3.55 eV and linear and nonlinear parameters were enhanced. Our optical results suggest the use of PVA/Cs/ZnO nanocomposite films for various optoelectronics applications. PVA/Cs/ZnO nanocomposites exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It was found that nanocomposite samples were more effective against Gram-positive compared to Gram-negative bacteria.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.3390/polym15214282
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
