Surface-modified silver nanoparticles (NAg) were encapsulated into a polystyrene (PS) matrix by in situ miniemulsion\r\npolymerization. Silver nanoparticles were modified with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) that acts as a coupling agent\r\nand costabilizer in the polymerization reaction. The PS-Nag nanocomposites synthesized via miniemulsion polymerization were\r\nmade at two different concentrations of the initiator (0.7 and 2.5 g/L in H2O); at higher concentration of the initiator the\r\nconversion and efficiency of encapsulation increases, and the average particle size decreases. The PS-NAg composites showed\r\nexcellent antimicrobial performance toward bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
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