Size‐dependent antibacterial properties of Ag nanoparticles supported by amino‐functionalized poly(GMA‐co‐EGDMA) polymer

Size‐dependent antimicrobial ability of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) supported by amino‐functionalized poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (poly(GMA‐co‐EGDMA)) macroporous copolymer was tested against Gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli. Inorganic/organic hybrids with distinctly different average sizes of Ag NPs (6.6 and 12.1 nm) were prepared by functionalization of poly(GMA‐co‐EGDMA) with either 1,8‐diaminooctane or ammonia, and consequent reduction of silver ions with amino groups. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM), infrared and UV–Vis reflection spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission measurements were used to characterize synthesized hybrid materials. Time‐ and concentration‐dependent antimicrobial performances of prepared samples revealed higher reduction rates of E. coli when hybrid with smaller in size Ag NPs was used. The difference between rates of reduction of E. coli for different size Ag NPs is becoming more pronounced by decrease of the concentration of silver. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2901–2907, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers