Effects of Plant Extracts and Green-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles on the Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Nanocomposite Films

Nature- and plant-based and green-synthesized nanosilver-modified polymer nanocomposite films containing plant extracts that are not harmful to the environment and human health were produced. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was carried out using extracts of Hemp seeds, St. John's Wort, Rosemary and Cherry Laurel plants, and these extracts were used in polymer nanocomposite. Nanocomposite films were produced by using PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) which is the most widely used and biodegradable material in the formation of biomaterials as a matrix material. The casting method was used for the production of the films. SEM/EDS methods were used to examine the morphological properties of the produced films and to analyze the size and distribution of AgNPs in the nanocomposite films. SEM studies have shown that AgNPs with spherical morphologies in a size range of 55 to 293 nm can be produced by green synthesis. XRD analysis showed (111), (200) and (202) Bragg's reflections of the face-centered cubic (fcc) structure of silver. AgNPs-Hemp-St. John's Wort nanocomposite film was the sample with the highest Shore-D hardness with a value of 49.7. Shore-D hardness and water absorption capacity tests of the produced nanocomposites were determined to be 1.86 and 1.24 times higher than the reference samples, respectively. According to antibacterial test results, films with AgNPs are much more resistant to bacterial growth than films with plant extract-added and neat films. The present study shows the importance of green-synthesized metallic nanoparticles for industrial and health applications.