Antibacterial flexographic ink containing silver nanoparticles

The current work deals with the effects of incorporation of silver nanoparticles on the antibacterial and the thermal properties of a flexographic ink. The stable and uniform dispersion of silver nanoparticles in the ink were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The thermal properties of the pure and nanoparticle loaded ink films were also evaluated using TGA and DSC techniques. The results from this study proved acceptable dispersion characteristics, wherein, the flexographic ink showed a significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria