Preparation of Antibacterial Waterborne Polyurethane/silver Nanocomposite

Abstract

Abstract Stable aqueous dispersions of silver (Ag) nanoparticles were prepared by reducing silver nitrate solutions with sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ) in the presence of waterborne polyurethane as a stabilizing agent. WPU/Ag nanocomposites were obtained after evaporating water. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) shows nanoscale Ag particles are well dispersed in WPU matrix at a lower concentration, while particles exhibit a little aggregation at a higher concentration. UV‐visible spectra, X‐ray powder diffraction, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometer (EDS) confirm the existence of Ag particle in WPU matrix. The WPU/Ag composite films show good antibiotic ability.