Synthesis of chitosan/PVA/metal oxide nanocomposite using underwater discharge plasma: characterization and antibacterial activities

In this work, the one-step synthesis of multicomponent polymer nanocomposites containing zinc oxide and cuprous oxide nanoparticles based on chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol was investigated using underwater pulsed discharge plasma. Direct initiation of electrical discharge between metal electrodes in a polymer solution enables reagent-free obtaining of metal oxide nanoparticles with an average diameter of about 30 nm. Transmission electron microscopy observations showed °that metal oxide nanoparticles uniformly dispersed in polymer matrix. It has been established that a partial destruction of chitosan occurs with the formation of glucosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, and delta-mannitol under the action of the discharge. The polymer film containing 0.35% Cu2O and 3.41% ZnO nanoparticles demonstrated the highest antimicrobial activity Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus albicans, and Bacillus subtilis.