Synthesis of sulfonated poly-(eugenol divinylbenzene) nanosilver composite and its application as antibacterial compound of cotton fabric

In recent years, nano-sized composite particles have been developed as antibacterial agents. We investigated antimicrobial activities of sulfonated poly-(eugenol divinylbenzene) nanosilver composite coated on cotton fabric. Firstly, sulfonated poly-(eugenol divinylbenzene) was synthesized through a cationic copolymerization between eugenol and divinylbenzene, followed by sulfonation using sulfuric acid. Furthermore, the nanosilver material was synthesized by reducing silver nitrate using sodium citrate solution as a reducing agent. The composite formation has been successfully carried out through the interaction of the polymer and nanosilver. The resulting inhibition zone diameter of copolymers and composites shows moderate inhibitory activity. The data shown by SEM-EDX reveals that the spray coating method is successful in making the composites coated well on cotton fabrics. Coated cotton fabric has hydrophobic properties and exhibits good antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. (paper)