title: Silver-enhanced block copolymer membranes with biocidal activity.
abstract: Silver nanoparticles were deposited on the surface and pore walls of block copolymer membranes with highly ordered pore structure. Pyridine blocks constitute the pore surfaces, complexing silver ions and promoting a homogeneous distribution. Nanoparticles were then formed by reduction with sodium borohydride. The morphology varied with the preparation conditions (pH and silver ion concentration), as confirmed by field emission scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Silver has a strong biocide activity, which for membranes can bring the advantage of minimizing the growth of bacteria and formation of biofilm. The membranes with nanoparticles prepared under different pH values and ion concentrations were incubated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and compared with the control. The strongest biocidal activity was achieved with membranes containing membranes prepared under pH 9. Under these conditions, the best distribution with small particle size was observed by microscopy.
authors.affiliation: Water Desalination and Reuse Center and ‡Imaging and Characterization Lab, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology , 23955-6900 Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Poornima
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Madhavan
authors.forename: Pei-Ying
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Rachid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sougrat
authors.forename: Suzana P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Nunes
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects*; D010969:Plastics / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016062:Porosity; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010969:Plastics; D012834:Silver
keywords: biofouling; block copolymer membranes; pH responsive; poly(4-vinylpyridine); polystyrene; silver nanoparticles