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Nanotechnology

Breakthrough in Nanocomposites: Researchers Develop Antibacterial Nanomaterials

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at the Sahand University of Technology in Tabriz, Iran, have made a significant discovery in the field of nanotechnology, developing novel antibacterial nanomaterials using castor oil-based waterborne polyurethane/nanochitosan nanocomposites. The team's breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the production of coatings with long-lasting antibacterial properties. By employing natural oil-based polyols as sustainable polymer precursors, the researchers have successfully incorporated tailored characteristics at the surface level, enabling the creation of materials with enhanced and prolonged antibacterial effects.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study explores the synthesis of waterborne polyurethanes (WPU) using natural oil-based polyols, particularly castor oil, as sustainable polymer precursors.
  • The WPU-C2 sample exhibits stronger hydrogen bonding than other samples, indicating the formation of physically entangled polymer networks.
  • DSC tests show that the glass transition temperature of the soft segment in WPU-C2 is 5.5 degrees C, with increased gelation resulting in reduced chain mobility and a higher glass transition temperature.
  • The physical structure of the polymers was analyzed using X-ray diffraction, which indicates that the studied material possesses good tensile mechanical performance, with a tensile strength of 149%.
  • The amount of DMPA and chain hydrophilicity significantly influenced the water swelling rate, with reduced DMPA content impacting the water swelling rate.
  • The chitosan nanoparticle weight percentage in the nanocomposites inhibited the growth of E. coli and S. aureus, with both bacteria showing inhibition zones of 9 mm.
  • The research suggests potential for use as an antibacterial coating material.
  • The study has been peer-reviewed and published in the journal Polymers for Advanced Technologies (Volume 36, Issue 5).

Statistics:

  • The glass transition temperature of the soft segment in WPU-C2 is 5.5 degrees C.
  • The tensile strength of the material is 149%.
  • The average particle size of WPU-C2 is 13.81 nm.
  • The gel content of WPU-C2 is 97%.
  • The water swelling level of WPU-C2 is 10.9%.
  • The growth inhibition zones of E. coli and S. aureus are 9 mm.

Sources:

  • VerticalNews, "Current study results on Nanotechnology - Nanocomposites have been published," June 9, 2025.
  • Polymers for Advanced Technologies, "Synthesis and Investigation of the Properties of Castor Oil-based Waterborne Polyurethane/nanochitosan Nanocomposites With Antibacterial Properties," Volume 36, Issue 5, 2025.
  • Wiley, "Polymers for Advanced Technologies," online at onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-1581.
  • Sahand University of Technology, Institute of Polymer Materials, Tabriz, Iran.
  • NewsRx, "Investigators from Sahand University of Technology Zero in on Nanocomposites (Synthesis and Investigation of the Properties of Castor Oil-based Waterborne Polyurethane/nanochitosan Nanocomposites With Antibacterial Properties)," Nanotechnology Weekly, June 9, 2025, p 604.

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