Ultrasmall Ag nanocrystals supported on chitosan/PVA nanofiber mats with bifunctional properties.

ABSTRACT: Bifunctional nanofiber mats consisting of chitosan (CS), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and silver nanocrystals (Ag NCs) have been fabricated by a facile electrospinning method. The formation and presence of Ag NCs supported on CS/PVA nanofibers are confirmed by ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The morphology of the samples is characterized by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The prepared Ag NCs/CS/PVA nanofiber mats show pronounced antibacterial activity against <italic>Escherichia coli</italic> and excellent filtration property for suspended particulate matter (SPM) particles. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. <bold>2018</bold>, <italic>135</italic>, 46504. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]