In vitro assesment of antimicrobial activity and characteristics of polyamide 6/silver nanocomposite fibers

In this study, the preparation method and characteristics of silver (Ag) nanoparticle (NP) loaded polyamide 6 (PA6) nanocomposite and its antimicrobial activity against Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. The melt intercalation method was used to prepare a series of PA 6 nanocomposite fibers containing, 0; 1; 3; 5 % (wt.) Ag. PA6/Ag nanocomposite fibers exhibit increased antimicrobial efficiency with the increase of nanoparticle contents. On the other hand, thermal characterization tests show that the increased concentration of Ag nanoparticles reduces the mechanical properties due to their partial agglomeration leading to flaw generation. The crystallinity of the fibers was found to decrease about 10 % with increase of Ag to 5 %. This was attributed to faster cooling rate experienced in the presence of high thermal conductivity Ag particles.