Structure and Functional Properties of Nanocomposites Based on Polyethylene Oxide and Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract

The combination of polyethylene oxide (PEO) matrix and stabilized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the new material is promising and requires further study. Therefore, we studied structure and functional properties of PEO-AgNPs materials using the methods of electronic microscopy, X-ray diffraction, dielectric relaxation and acoustic spectroscopy, and microbiologic study. It was established that the obtained nanoparticles are core–shell objects, inside the particle is a silver core covered with a hyperbranched ionic liquid shell. Stabilized silver nanoparticles significantly affect the functional properties of the nanocomposite material at relatively low concentrations of the nanofiller (1–2%). The use of stabilized AgNPs made it possible to achieve very low dielectric loss values in the materials. It is shown that the greatest effect on the dielectric properties is manifested at the content of 1% of the filler. The activation energy and relaxation time of PEO macromolecules, as well as the speed of ultrasound and the damping coefficient of the studied materials were extremely dependent on the content of the filler. This dependence is explained by aggregation processes of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. It is shown that 1% of AgNPs in the system is optimal, and it is assumed that with this filler content, the functional characteristics will be the most acceptable for the use of such a material. The general electrical conductivity of the systems increases by two orders of magnitude when 2% filler is introduced. Nanocomposite material containing 2% of AgNPs shows significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus (inhibition zone is 22 mm). The novel approach for synthesis of stabilized silver nanoparticles open a new window of possibilities in the development of new antimicrobial materials, based on various polymer matrix: from thermoplastic to elastic.