Bimetallic Zn/Ag doped polyurethane spider net composite nanofibers: A novel multipurpose electrospun mat

Abstract The objective of this study was to develop a new class of bimetallic ZnO/Ag embedded polyurethane multi-functional nanocomposite by a straightforward approach. Bimetallic nanomaterials, composed of two unlike metal elements, are of greater interest than the monometallic materials because of their improved characteristics. In the present study the bimetallic composite was prepared using sol–gel via the facile electrospinning technique. The utilized sol–gel was composed of zinc oxide, silver and poly(urethane). The physicochemical properties of as-spun composite mats were determined by X-ray diffraction pattern, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The antibacterial activity was tested using Escherichia coli as model organism. The antibacterial test showed that ZnO:Ag/polyurethane composite possesses superior antimicrobial activity than pristine PU and ZnO/PU hybrids. Furthermore, our results illustrate that the synergistic effect of ZnO and Ag resulted in the advanced antimicrobial action of bimetallic ZnO/Ag composite mat. The viability and proliferation properties of NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells on the ZnO:Ag/polyurethane composite nanofibers were analyzed by in vitro cell compatibility test. Our results indicated the non-cytotoxic behavior of bimetallic ZnO:Ag/polyurethane nanofibers towards the fibroblast cell culture. In summary, novel ZnO:Ag/polyurethane composite nanofibers which possess large surface to volume ratio with excellent antimicrobial activity were fabricated. The unique combination of ZnO and Ag nanoparticles displayed potent bactericidal effect due to a synergism. Hence the electrospun bimetallic composite indicates the huge potential in water filtration, clinical and biomedical applications.