Preparation of cellulose/copper nanoparticles bionanocomposite films using a bioflocculant polymer as reducing agent for antibacterial and anticorrosion applications

Bionanocomposites are promising green sustainable materials useful for diagnostic and biomedical applications. In the present study, cellulose/copper nanoparticles (CuNP) bionanocomposites were prepared using a bioflocculant as a reductant of the precursor copper ions for the in situ generation of CuNP in the cellulose matrix.. The novel bionanocomposite material was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), antibacterial and corrosion tests. TEM, SEM, EDS, and XRD studies indicated the in situ generation of CuNP in the cellulose matrix. FTIR analysis proved no new bond formation between CuNP and cellulose films. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated single step degradation for neat cellulose whereas the bionanocomposites exhibit multi-step thermal degradation. The new bionanocomposite prepared with a copper precursor concentration of 250 mM was found to exhibit remarkable biocidal activity against E. coli with a zone of clearance of 12 mm and also good corrosion resistance.