Comparative Structural and Antibacterial Evaluation of Phyto‐Synthesized Polyacrylic Acid/Silver Nanocomposites
Abstract
Polymer‐based nanocomposites are synthesized via green routes and attract significant attention for their sustainability and multifunctional performance. In the present study, polyacrylic acid (PAA), a non‐toxic, water‐soluble polymer, is used as a matrix for the green synthesis of silver nanocomposites, with plant extracts serving as reducing and stabilizing agents. Silver nanocomposites synthesized using coriander ( Coriandrum sativum ) leaf extract are denoted as PAC‐Ag NC, while those prepared using Mehndi, commonly known as Henna ( Lawsonia inermis ) leaf extract, are termed PAMH‐Ag NC. The nanocomposites are characterized using UV–Visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), ZETA potential, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). XRD analysis confirms the formation of face‐centered cubic (FCC) silver nanoparticles, with average crystallite sizes of approximately 13 nm for PAC‐Ag NC and 88 nm for PAMH‐Ag NC. SEM observations reveal a bamboo‐like hierarchical morphology in PAC‐Ag NC, attributed to shish‐kebabs, suggesting improved structural integrity, whereas PAMH‐Ag NC exhibits predominantly spherical nanoparticles. Thermal analyses show the nanocomposites remain stable up to about 200°C. Both nanocomposites display excellent antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria.