Green production of plant/collagen-based antibacterial polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite films

The climate crisis, environmental pollution and waste generation have increased the demands for the green production of eco-friendly and bio-based nanocomposites. Modified polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite films were produced using hemp seeds, St. John's Wort, Rosemary and Cherry Laurel plant extracts, collagen and nano silver (AgNPs) and their microstructure, mechanical properties, swelling behavior and antibacterial properties were investigated. Morphological investigations revealed that the PVA matrix was enhanced with green synthesized silver nanoparticles of equiaxed and circular shape in the 30–37 nm size range. It was determined that the produced nature-based nanocomposites hardness are 2.3 times higher than neat un-modified samples, and their swelling in aqueous media was 3.5 times more resistant. Increasing the thermal resistance of green nanocomposite films and creating stronger chemical bonds were achieved by modification of the combined combinations of collagen, plant extracts and nano silver to PVA. In addition, the combination and compositions used in the study made an environmentally friendly nanocomposite films with 10 times stronger antibacterial effects.