Silver nanoparticle anchored with novel crosslinked beaded polystyrene/polyamidoxime sequential interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) and its antibacterial activity

The present article describes the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) impregnatated crosslinked beaded polystyrene/polyamidoxime (PSD/PAMD) interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs). The developed SNPs‐IPNs were tested for the antibacterial activity for water purification. Intially, the crosslinked beaded polystyrene/polyacrylonitrile (PSD/PAN) polymer was synthesized by radical sequential suspension polymerization method therafter, it has been converted into PSD/PAMD‐IPN comprising amidoxime group, which acts as capping agent to anchor the silver ions. The silver ions impregnated with PSD/PAMD‐IPN were converted into SNPs by chemical reduction methodology followed by stabilization without any deterioration or loss in polymer. IR and solid‐state ¹³C NMR spectra were use for the structural characterization of developed SNPs‐IPN, while morphological characterization was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The size of the SNPs formed with the networks were found less than 5 nm. The disinfection potential of SNPs‐IPN was evaluated by different antibacterial test. The bactericidal test of SNPs‐IPN revealed the promissing antibacterial efficieny with complete microbial inhibition within 4–6 h. The reusability of the SNPs‐IPN beads was also tested for its repeated use for industrial application. POLYM. COMPOS., 70–80, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers