New Antibacterial Composites: Waterborne Polyurethane/Gold Nanocomposites Synthesized Via Self-Emulsifying Method

Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) have a good reputation in antibacterial property, but bad in stability. In order to get the materials which have the continuous antibacterial performance, we firstly try composites which combine waterborne polyurethane (WPU) with Au NPs. The WPU was previously synthesized by the method of self-emulsifying polymerization. Au NPs were added to the emulsion comprising the WPU previously synthesized to yield the composite WPU/Au NPs. On one hand, the obtained composites were characterized by UV–Vis, Fourier transform infrared, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, to demonstrate the formation of the WPU/Au NPs hybrids and improvement in stability of Au NPs. The results indicate that the size level of the Au NPs which exist in composite present nanometer and spherical structure; the existence of the WPU in composite has certain stabilizing effect to the Au NPs, it also has improved the dispersion. On the other hand, bacteriostatic test has been taken on the composite by using Escherichia coli (E) and Staphylococcus aureus (S), we come a conclusion that WPU/Au NPs composites can be used as antibacterial material.