Antimicrobial silver nitrate-doped polyvinyl chloride cast films: Influence of solvent on morphology and mechanical properties

Abstract

Medical-grade polyvinyl chloride was modified by incorporation of silver nitrate in a concentration range from 0 to 5 wt.% using a solvent casting technique. Agar diffusion test was performed to evaluate in-vitro antimicrobial properties of prepared samples. The obtained systems were characterized by tensile test, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and optical microscopy. The micrographs revealed a better morphological disposition of silver particles along the polyvinyl chloride matrix in the samples cast from N,N-dimethylformamide. Nevertheless, the applied modification did not appreciably influence the tensile properties of the prepared systems compared to the reference samples. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.