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Composite Films Based on Silver‐Zeolite/Polymer as Efficient Antifungals
Author(s) -
Chiericatti Carolina A.,
Lozano Luis A.,
Zamaro Juan M.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemistryselect
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 34
ISSN - 2365-6549
DOI - 10.1002/slct.202001391
Subject(s) - materials science , polyetherimide , nanocomposite , chemical engineering , zeolite , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , polymer , composite number , polyimide , nuclear chemistry , composite material , layer (electronics) , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering , catalysis
This work analyzes the preparation and antifungal behavior of composite films formed by a mixed matrix of Ag‐zeolite crystals immobilized in a continuous polymer phase. The physicochemical qualities of films prepared with Ag‐exchanged mordenite (Ag‐MOR) dispersed in polysulfone (PSF), polyimide (PI) or polyetherimide (PEI) were thoroughly analyzed by means of various techniques such as SEM, EDS, XRD, UV‐VIS, FTIR‐ATR, TGA‐SDTA and XPS. Subsequently, the composites were evaluated as antifungal materials for the control of P. roqueforti isolated from contaminated foods of industrial origin. Of all the systems studied, Ag‐MOR/PI demonstrated an outstanding antifungal activity, acting effectively in the control of this mold and reducing the colony growth (CFU mL −1 ) by a factor of 5 Log after 24 h of contact. This activity was due to highly dispersed cationic silver species immobilized in the film which were effectively dosed towards the microorganism. The Ag‐mordenite/polymer nanocomposite films represent a technological alternative in the search of novel materials for the control of fungal growth.