Silver/chitosan/cellulose fibers foam composites: From synthesis to antibacterial properties

► Silver associated to chitosan and cellulose fibers has a strong antimicrobial effect. ► The cellulose fibers improve the ability of chitosan to bind silver by dispersing biopolymer chains. ► Antibiogram-type test shows the efficiency of composite foams for Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus hominis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. ► Foam structure allows using the composite for the filtration of contaminated water. ► In column system (with recirculation), the composite foams reduce cell loading by 7/8 log units in 40 s.