Preparation and Antibacterial Property of EVA Composite Foams Supported by Nano-silver

Abstract

Through in-situ reduction method, Ag nanoparticles were loaded on the surfaces of EVA composite foams. A series of investigations, including field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, were carried out to characterize the samples. Thermal stability and antibacterial properties of the products were evaluated by thermo gravimetric analysis and antibacterial test, respectively. Results show that nanoparticles, with an average particle size of 20nm, are elemental silver and decorated on the surface of EVA composite foams in uniform and regular stacks; after the presence of Ag nanoparticles, char yield of the products at 600℃ could increase to 3.22%; the samples have good persistent antibacterial effects and after 50 washing cycles, the antibacterial rate reaches above 98% and 99% against escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus, respectively.

Keywords

• ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer
• nano-silver
• composite foam
• <i>in-situ</i> reduction
• antibacterial property