Preparation and characterization of antibacterial poly(vinylidene fluoride)-silver composites

Poly(vinylidene fluoride)-silver (PVDF-Ag) composite films were synthesized by in situ reduction of silver nitrate using N, N-dimethylformamide as solvent and reductant simultaneously. The effects of silver on the thermal property and crystal structure of PVDF were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. The mechanical properties and morphology of the composite membrane were characterized using a material testing machine and scanning electron microscopy. The toughness of the composite film was proved to increase sharply by adding 10% silver nitrate. The composite films were verified to be effective to kill Escherichia coli.