Abstract
Abstract: Polyamide/silver (PA/Ag) compositematerials are regarded as potential antimicrobials by virtue
of their efficacy to release the Ag+ ions in an aqueous medium. The effects of the matrix crystallinity on
the Ag+ ion release characteristics of PA/Ag composites are discussed. It is found that matrix crystallinity
is very decisive for the silver ion releasing properties and hence the antimicrobial efficacy of silver-based
antimicrobial polyamides. The crystallinities of the composites were evaluated using differential scanning
calorimetry. The silver ion release characteristics of these composites were measured by anode stripping
voltammetry. Silver ion release was higher in systems possessing lower degrees of crystallinity. Waterdiffusion
characteristics of the composites control the silver ion release. The effect of crystallinity on silver
ion release rate depends on the time of soaking of the specimens in water.
2005 Society of Chemical Industry
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1180-1186 |
| Journal | Polymer International |
| Volume | 54 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2005 |
| Externally published | Yes |