Preparation and characterization of Cu/Cu2O-containing nanocomposites based on interpolyelectrolyte complexes of pectin–polyethyleneimine.

The structure and properties of Cu/Cu₂O-containing nanocomposites formed by chemical reduction of Cu²⁺ ions in interpolyelectrolyte–metal complexes (IMC) at different molar ratios [NaBH₄]: [Cu²⁺] and reduction times were studied by methods of wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy, thermomechanical analysis, and antimicrobial tests. Optimal conditions ([NaBH₄]: [Cu²⁺] = 6.0, reduction time ≥ 120 min) for the formation of copper-containing nanocomposites based on interpolyelectrolyte complexes and Cu/Cu₂O core–shell nanoparticles have been established by X-ray diffraction analysis. Owing to the above conditions, the structural manifestation of the metal copper phase is fully realized. Applying transmission electron microscopy, it was found that at molar ratio [NaBH₄]: [Cu²⁺] = 6.0, and reduction time of 40 min and 180 min, accordingly, the nanocomposites with average nanoparticles size of 4.1 nm and 12.4 nm are derived from IMC, respectively, what correlates with effective size of the nanocomposites' heterogeneity regions, l_p. Thermomechanical analysis has shown that raise in the amount of reducing agent or the duration of reduction of Cu²⁺ ions in IMC is accompanied by elevation in the glass transition temperature, which reaches a constant level, boost in the temperature of transition to the viscous state T_f and decrease in the relative deformation of nanocomposites. The antimicrobial investigations of the elaborated nanocomposites revealed they possess an antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]