Phytogenic silver nanoparticles (Alstonia scholaris) incorporated with epoxy coating on PVC materials and their biofilm degradation studies

The advantages of nano-scale materials (size 1-99 nm in at least in one dimension) could be realized with their potential applications in diversified avenues. Herein, we report for the first time on the successful synthesis of homogeneous epoxy coatings containing phytogenic silver nanoparticles (Ag) on PVC and glass substrates by room-temperature curing of fully mixed epoxy slurry diluted by acetone. Alstonia scholaris bark extract was used to reduce and stabilize the silver ions. The surface morphology and mechanical properties of these coatings were characterized using the techniques like, UV-Vis (UV-Visible) spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FT-IR), Epifluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of incorporating Ag nanoparticles on the biofilm (scale) resistant epoxy-coated PVC was investigated by total viable counts ($CFU/cm^2$) from epoxy coating from (Initial) $1^{st}$ day to $25^{th}$ days. The phytogenic Ag nanoparticles were found to be significantly improving the microstructure of the coating matrix and thus enhanced the anti-biofilm performance of the epoxy coating. In addition, the antimicrobial mechanism of Ag nanoparticles played an important role in improving the anti-biofilm performance of these epoxy coatings.