ISSN : 2663-2187

Preparation and Characterization of PVA-PAAm-PEG Blend and the Effect of CNT on the Antibacterial Activity

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1 Khansaa Saleem Sharba, 1 Golshad kheiri, 1 Mir Maqsood Golzan, 2 Khalid Haneen Abass
ยป doi: 10.48047/AFJBS.6.7.2024. 665-691

Abstract

The PVA-PAAm-PEG polymer blend and its composite films with different weight percentages of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized using the solution-cast technique. CNTs were added in varying amounts (0.005 g, 0.010 g, 0.015 g, and 0.020 g). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to structurally investigate the fabricated nanocomposite films and detect the bonding and reaction types between the polymeric blend and CNTs. The results indicate that no chemical reactions occurred; instead, there was only physical blending, and no new interatomic bonding formed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed a strong dispersion of CNTs on the surface of the polymeric matrix. bsorbance spectra were determined in the wavelength range of 200-800 nm. The absorption increased with the increasing concentration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The optical energy gap of the fabricated films decreased with increasing CNT content, from 4.8 eV to 3.6 eV. This reduction in energy gap makes the composite desirable for use in the semiconductor industry. Additionally, the refractive index increased with the addition of CNT. Regarding the A.C. electrical properties, the dielectric constant and dielectric loss increased with higher CNT nanoparticle concentrations, while they decreased with increasing frequency of the applied electric field. On the other hand, the A.C. conductivity exhibited a significant rise as the frequency of the electric field increased for all samples. At 102 Hz, the conductivity showed a proportional increase with the rising weight percentage of CNTs. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of this system was examined using E. coli bacteria. It was found that the inhibition zone increased with the higher CNT content in the polymeric blend.

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