Preparation of Antimicrobial Aminoclays/Poly(vinyl alcohol) Nanocomposite Hydrogel Films by Freeze-Thawing Method

Abstract

In this study, aminoclays/poly(vinyl alcohol) (AC/PVA) hydrogel films were prepared after three cycles of the freeze-thawing process. The corresponding hydrogel films were characterized using gel fraction, swelling ratio, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that the presence of magnesium aminoclay (MgAC) can improve the water-absorption utility of PVA hydrogel films, and that the water-absorption utility of zinc aminoclay (ZnAC)/PVA hydrogel films was similar to that of the pure PVA hydrogel films. The higher water uptake of the MgAC/PVA hydrogel films was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and was attributed to the larger pore size compared to ZnAC/PVA and pure PVA hydrogels films. Regarding antimicrobial utility, both MgAC/PVA and ZnAC/PVA hydrogel films exhibited antimicrobial effects against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, although the ZnAC/PVA hydrogel films manifested higher activity in general. Similarly, while the presence of silver nanowires increased the antibacterial activity, it did not reduce the gel fraction or swelling ratio of the MgAC/PVA hydrogel films.