Synthesis and antimicrobial activities of polymer/montmorillonite–chlorhexidine acetate nanocomposite films

ARTICLE I NFO + -montmorillonite Nanocomposite films The PDMS/montmorillonite-chlorhexidine acetate (PDMS/OMMT) nanocomposite films were successfully obtained by intercalation from solution. Organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) with antibacterial activity was prepared from Na + -montmorillonite (Na + -MMT) and chlorhexidine acetate (CA) by ion exchange. The microstructure of these nanocomposite films were characterized by TEM and XRD. The effect of OMMT on mechanical propertiesandthermal stabilityof thenanocompositeswasinvestigated.WhentheOMMTcontent was lower than 0.5 mass %, the nanocomposites showed excellent mechanical properties. The polymers were tested for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The PDMS/OMMT nanocomposite films strongly inhibited the growth of a wide variety of microorganisms, including Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria.