3D printed antibacterial silver nanowire/polylactide nanocomposites

Silver nanowire (Ag NW) loaded polylactide (PLA) nanocomposites were prepared by simple solution mixing method and then 3D printed to obtain desired shapes. Morphological and thermal analysis of the fabricated nanocomposites was carried out which was followed by the determination of their antimicrobial performance. NWs showed excellent dispersion within the PLA matrix. Antibacterial properties of Ag NW/PLA nanocomposites were investigated against different standard bacterial strains of American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) using conventional microbiological methods. Prepared nanocomposites were found to have high antibacterial effect against both Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) ATCC#25923 (Gram positive bacteria) and Escherichia coli (E. colt) ATCC#25922 (Gram negative bacteria). 4 wt % Ag NW loaded nanocomposites were found to kill 100% of E. coli and S. aureus bacteria in 2 h and to continue its bactericidal effect for 24 h against E. coli and 8 h against S. aureus. Nanocomposites with higher Ag NW loadings showed even better results yet small amount of Ag NW loading to PLA was found sufficient for nanocomposites to show reasonable antibacterial performance at low cost. Combined with the versatility of 3D printing, antibacterial and 3D printed composites will be important components of public health.