Cellulose acetate and silver particles composite synthesis to antimicrobial applications

ABSTRACT The present work had the objective to use agroindustrial residues, specifically cellulosic fibers from banana peel stalks, to obtain cellulose acetate. This product, in turn, was used as a matrix in an antimicrobial composite for food packaging, consisting of cellulose acetate and silver particles. The silver particles were produced by microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis from the reduction of silver nitrate using trisodium cit-rate. The obtained particles had a mean diameter of 433.6 nm. The composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile strength test, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier trans-form infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and UV-visible spectroscopy. The results showed a fracture strain 25% greater than the commercial polymers without the addition of fillers, achieving about 43 MPa. In addition, bactericidal properties were obtained in relation to the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli when in direct contact with the composite film formed.