Synthesis, characterization and in-vitro antimicrobial evaluation of thermally and photostable Schiff base-modified PVC/nanocomposites

Two Schiff base derivatives, 4-[(2, 5-dimethoxy phenylimino)-methyl] phenol, SB1 and 4-[(2-hydroxy benzylidine)-amino] phenolSB2, have been prepared and used as modifiers for polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Chemical modification of PVC was performed using these Schiff base sin presence of AgNO(3)to obtain two modified PVC nanocomposite,PVC-SB1/AgNPs and PVC-SB2/AgNPs, and their chemical structures were confirmed by FTIR,H-1-NMR, C-13 NMR and Mass spectroscopy. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were performed for the modified polymer nanocomposites. The SEM and TEM micrographs of PVC-SB/AgNPs showed homogeneous surface polymeric matrix with uniform distribution of AgNPs, and their diameters are in the nanoscale. Moreover, thermal and photostabilities as well as mechanical properties of the modified polymer nanocomposites were also investigated. Moreover, mechanical properties of PVC-SB/AgNPs were also investigated. Antimicrobial activity of the modified PVC was evaluated against two Gram +ve bacteria (Bacillus subtitles and Staphylococcus aurous) and two Gram -ve bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) as well as Candida albicans as fungus.