One-step fabrication of antibacterial (silver nanoparticles/poly(ethylene oxide)) – Polyurethane bicomponent hybrid nanofibrous mat by dual-spinneret electrospinning

The one-step electrospinning fabrication of novel materials with added functionalities is being widely studied because of their wide array of applications. Here, the fabrication of a hybrid, bimodal nanofibrous mat made of two polymeric nanofibers: polyurethane (PU) and silver (Ag) nanoparticle (NP) – in situ – decorated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) utilizing an angled dual-spinneret electrospinning system is reported. Silver nitrate (AgNO3) is in-situ reduced in high-molecular weight PEO, and Ag NPs with sizes from 6 to 90 nm as checked by scanning electron microscoy and transmission electron microscopy, are subsequently formed on the surface of PEO nanofibers depending on the reduction time. Successful fabrication of bicomponent polymer matrices (PU and PEO) in the hybrid mat is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Metallic Ag NPs are verified to be present in the hybrid mats by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and ultraviolet-vis spectroscopy, showing plasmon resonance band peaks at 415 and 425 nm. The hybrid nanofibrous mat containing Ag NPs with an average size of 8 nm (i.e., reduction time of 3 h) exhibits strong antibacterial activity.

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► We have fabricated a bicomponent nanofibrous mat by dual-spinneret electrospinning.
► The hybrid mat was composed of PU and PEO nanofibers with bimodal fiber sizes.
► The PEO nanofibers are selectively decorated with Ag NPs without the use of chemicals.
► High MW PEO was used as both reductant and template for the formed Ag NPs.
► The hybrid mat containing Ag NPs exhibits strong antibacterial activity.