Abstract
Organic-inorganic hybrid polyurethane silver nanocomposite (Ag/LPOSiPU) were prepared in three steps- (i) synthesis of organic-inorganic hybrids (LPOSi) from linseed oil polyol (LPO) as organic and tetraethoxyorthosilane (TEOS) as inorganic precursors, respectively through sol-gel process, (ii) preparation of silver nano-particles in organic-inorganic hybrids (LPOSi) via reduction of silver salt (AgNO3) by employing N,N_-dimethylformamide (DMF) as reducing agent at room temperature to obtain Ag/LPOSi, and (iii) Ag/LPOSi further treated with toluene 2,4 di-isocyanate to form their polyurethane (Ag/LPOSiPU). UV–visible and TEM studies substantiate the formation of well-dispersed silver nanoparticles within the LPOSiPU with an average size of 20-30 nm. Thermogravimetric analysis showed improved thermal stability of Ag/LPOSiPU. The physicomechanical and corrosion/chemical resistance performances (in various corrosive media) tests of Ag/LPOSiPU coatings were also conducted to evaluate their coating properties. These studies revealed that the incorporation of silver nanoparticles has a significant influence on structural and physico-chemical aspects. The polymer nanocomposites exhibit enhanced antimicrobial efficacy against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively, and will pave way in plethora of biological and chemical applications as coating materials.
