Synthesis and biological activity of new polymeric silver-containing nanocomposites

The formation of new polymeric nanocomposites with silver nanoparticles incorporated into the matrix of 1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole copolymers with vinyl acetate was studied. Water-soluble nanocomposites containing different amounts of silver nanoparticles with an average size of 6–13 nm were synthesized varying the reaction conditions. The physicochemical, optical, thermal, and structural properties of the nanocomposites were studied by IR and UV spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and atomic absorption analyses, and thermogravimetry. The antimicrobial activity of the initial copolymers and related nanocomposites was evaluated with respect to test microorganisms.