Bactericidal activity of zinc oxide particles embedded in poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) electrospun fibers

Composites of metal oxide nanoparticles incorporated into poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) electrospun fibers can be considered potential and low cost bactericidal agents. Homogeneous distribution of nanoparticles in the core of fibers and minimal aggregation induced by strong interaction with polymeric template are factors that contribute with diffusion of metal oxide nanoparticles from bulk to the fiber surface and subsequent release of nanoparticles to bacterial culture. Hybrid electrospun fibers were successfully applied against bacteria as a result of reasonable degree of interaction between zinc oxide and fibers as detected from FTIR analysis, DSC curves and SEM images.