Nanostructured PVA‐Cu(II) complex: synthesis, characterization and biological applications

In the present work we study the complex formation of Cu(II) with PVA by FTIR, XRD, FE-SEM, HRTEMand Visible Spectroscopy. The PVA-Cu(II) complexes were synthesized in a alkaline solution of PVA by addition ofcopper sulfate solution fallowed by heating. Coordination of Cu(II) ions with hydroxyl (O–H) groups of PVA preventsaggregation of particles and therefore nano-sized particles embedded in PVA matrix are formed. Complex formation ofPVA with cupric ions effects on crystalinity of products and an amorphous PVA-Cu(II) composite is obtained. In thefollowing, the antibacterial activity of the as-prepared PVA–Cu(II) complexes was examined against Gram-positivebacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) and results show excellent antibacterialactivity of the complexes against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Keywords:

Polyvinyl alcohol , Composite , Nano structure , antibacterial activity