Starch-Capped Silver Nanoparticles Impregnated into Propylamine-Substituted PVA Films with Improved Antibacterial and Mechanical Properties for Wound-Bandage Applications

This research endeavor aims to develop polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based films capable of blends with silver nanoparticles (Ag–NPs) for improved antibacterial properties and good mechanical strength to widen its scope in the field of wound dressing and bandages. This study reports synthesis of propylamine-substituted PVA (PA–PVA), Ag–NPs via chemical and green methods (starch capping) and their blended films in various proportions. Employment of starch-capped Ag–NPs as nanofillers into PVA films has substantially improved the above-mentioned properties in the ensuing nanocomposites. Synthesis of PA–PVA, starch-capped Ag–NPs and blended films were well corroborated with UV/Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, NMR, XRD and SEM analysis. Synthesized Ag–NPs were of particle shape and have an average size 20 nm and 40 nm via green and chemical synthesis, respectively. The successful blending of Ag–NPs was yielded up to five weight per weight into PA–PVA film as beyond this self-agglomeration of Ag–NPs was observed. Antibacterial assay has shown good antimicrobial activities by five weight per weight Ag–NPs(G)-encapsulated into PA–PVA blended film, i.e., 13 mm zone inhibition against Escherichia coli and 11 mm zone inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus. Physical strength was measured in the terms of young’s modulus via tensile stress–strain curves of blended films. The five weight per weight Ag–NPs(G)/PA–PVA blend film showed maximum tensile strength 168.2 MPa while three weight per weight Ag–NPs(G)/PVA blend film showed highest values for ultimate strain 297.0%. Ag–NPs embedment into PA–PVA was resulted in strong and ductile film blend than pristine PA–PVA film due to an increase in hydrogen bonding. These good results of five weight per weight Ag–NPs(G)/PA–PVA product make it a potent candidate for wound dressing application in physically active body areas.