One-step Preparation and Antibacterial Property of Poly(N-isopropyl-acrylamide) Grafted Poly(acrylonitrile/styrene) Microspheres Immobilized with Silver Nanoparticles

Monodispersed silver nanoparticles were immobilized onto the surface of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) grafted poly(acrylonitrile/styrene) (PNIPAAm-g-PAN/PSt) microspheres by a one-step method using AgNO3 as a silver source. This process was performed via the coordination interaction between Ag+ ions and amide groups on PNIPAAm-g-PAN/PSt microsphere Surfaces with the reduction of the corresponding ions by ethanol taking place simultaneously. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectra illustrated that the silver nanoparticles were successfully immobilized onto the PNIPAAm-g-PAN/PSt microspheres. The size and morphology of silvered microspheres were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The weight percent of silver nanoparticles immobilized onto the microspheres was 12% based on the determination of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The antibacterial tests demonstrated that the as-prepared silvered microspheres showed activity against Gram-negative bacteria.