LAUSR

Abstract In this work, Fe3O4-Ag hybrid nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed into acrylic polyurethane matrix at a concentration of 0.1% (by the total weight of acrylic polyols and polyisocyanates). The curing process of this nanocomposite coating has been investigated by monitoring the change of coating hardness and variation of isocyanate/urethane groups (through their optical density in IR analysis) and gel fraction analysis. The surface morphology and mechanical properties of the nanocomposite coating were characterized. The antibacterial test was performed by monitoring the bacterial lag-log growth phase with the presence of nanocomposite coating in the E. coli cell culture reactor. The IR and relative hardness analysis datas indicated that the full curing time of nanocomposite coating was 6 days. The results of IR, coating hardness and gel fraction measurements indicated that crosslinking process of coating was insignificantly affected by the presence of Fe3O4-Ag hybrid nanoparticles. The incorporation of hybrid nanoparticles into the acrylic polyurethane coating increased its adhesion (from 2.15 to 2.21 N/mm2) and its impact resistance (from 110 to 125 Kg. cm−1). The antibacterial test showed that the presence of nanocomposite coating exhibited good antibacterial activity against E. coli, whereas no antibacterial activity was observed for the neat coating.