In-situ formation of silver nanoparticles on poly (lactic acid) film by γ-radiation induced grafting of N-vinyl pyrrolidone.

A fast, easy and novel method for preparing biodegradable polymer films with silver nanoparticles was investigated to endow the material with excellent biocompatibility and antibacterial property. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were immobilized on the surface of polylactic acid (PLA) film by gamma radiation induced grafting of N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP). In this method, poly (N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) was produced and grafted onto the surface of PLA film by gamma radiation polymerization of NVP. PVP acted as both a bridge to connect the Ag NPs with the PLA film, and a stabilizer to protect the Ag NPs from agglomeration. The effect of various reaction parameters, including NVP/Ag mole ratio and radiation dose, on the fabrication of PLA-g-NVP/Ag film was demonstrated. Moreover, the interaction between PVP and Ag NPs was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, that revealed the Ag NPs coordinated through the oxygen atom on the carbonyl group of PVP at 15 kGy radiation dose, but through the nitrogen atom and the oxygen atom of the amide group of PVP at 1 kGy dose.