Preparation of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose/amino acid/nanosilver biocomposite film and its antibacterial activity

Novel biocomposite films were prepared by employing amino acid phenylalanine (Phe) or tryptophan (Try) functionalized TEMPO-oxidized cellulose (TOC) with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) produced in situ by reduction with silver nitrate and sodium borohydride via homogeneous and heterogeneous approaches. The as-prepared biocomposite films, i.e. TOC–Phe–AgNPs and TOC–Try–AgNPs, were characterized by digital photographs, FTIR, Elemental Analysis, SEM, and TEM and the results confirmed the formation of the desired films. The in vitro antibacterial activity of two resulting composite film of TOC–Phe–AgNPs and TOC–Try–AgNPs was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria by agar diffusion test.