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Silver nanofibers (Ag-Nfbs)~80nm in diameter were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment. The nanofibers (3 and 5wt%) were added in the initial feed together with the catalytic system. Polymerizations in an ethylene atmosphere were performed, yielding PE nanocomposites in situ with 3 and 5wt% content of Ag-Nfbs. The antibacterial effect of the silver-nanofiber composites was evaluated after incubation of Escherichia coli ATCC 25923 for 8h on their surface. Bacterial viability tests showed that the silver-nanofiber composites inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli ATCC 25923 by 88 and 56%. This behavior is attributed to increased silver ions release from the nanocomposite. TEM analysis showed that the antibacterial effect is associated with membrane disruption but not with changes in shape., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this study, an antibacterial, but not cytotoxic nanomaterial based on polyethylene and copper nanoparticles was prepared by in situ polymerization. PE-CuNps nanocomposites against Escherichia coli, completely suppressed the number of live bacteria after 12 h incubation compared to neat PE. TEM images showed that nanocomposites damage the plasma membrane of the bacteria, revealing a bacteriolytic effect. Toxic effects of copper nanoparticles on viability of neuroblastoma line cell also was evaluated, revealing a non cytotoxic effect for the doses used, showing that this nanocomposite is a ideal material for medical devices.

Since infection is a major cause of death in a patient whose immune responses have been compromised (immunocompromised patient), considerable attention has been focused on developing materials for the prevention of infections. This has been directed primarily at suppressing or eliminating the host's endogenous microbial burden and decreasing the acquisition of new organisms. In this study, the antibacterial properties of two nanocomposites, polyethylene modified with silver nanoparticles (PE-AgNps) or copper nanoparticles (PE-CuNps), against Listeria monocytogenes have been investigated. In order to elucidate the antibacterial mechanism, specifically whether this mechanism corresponds to bactericidal or bacteriolytic activities, we have determined the extent of release of metal ions (Ag(+) and Cu(2+)) and, also, the morphology of the bacteria. The metal ion release from nanocomposites was followed by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry and the morphology of the bacteria was revealed through examination of ultramicrotomed sections of bacteria in a transmission electron microscope. The study of metal ion release from the nanocomposites shows that for both nanocomposites the amount of ions released varies with time, which initially displays a linear behavior until an asymptotic behavior is reached. Further, TEM images show that silver nanoparticles (AgNps) and copper nanoparticles (CuNps), which are released from the nanocomposites, can penetrate to the cell wall and the plasma membrane of bacteria. Resulting morphological changes involve separation of the cytoplasmic membrane from the cell wall, which is known to be an effect of plasmolysis. It was revealed that the antibacterial abilities of the two nanocomposites against L. monocytogenes are associated with both bactericidal and bacteriolytic effects., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)