Fabrication of aramid-based antimicrobial polypropylene composite membranes functionalized with thiazolidine-based nanoparticles

A series of 2-substituted 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid nanoparticle (TNP)-loaded aramid-based composite polypropylene (PP) membranes (PM-1 to PM-5) have been fabricated <i>via</i> the phase-inversion method. For this purpose, the TNPs (1a-5a) were first synthesized by an anti-precipitation technique and characterized using ultraviolet-visible (UV/Visible) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. PP membranes loaded with TNPs were then prepared and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses. The TNPs, and PP membranes loaded with the same, were subjected to antimicrobial evaluation against the Gram-negative bacteria <i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>). The TNPs exhibited significant antibacterial potential against the selected bacterial strains. Sample 3a, <i>i.e.</i>, a nitro-substituted derivative of TNPs, was found to be the most active sample tested, with a 12 mm zone of inhibition. Similarly, all the PP membranes exhibited encouraging antifouling properties. Among them, membranes PM-3 and PM-5 loaded with nitro- and thienyl-substituted derivatives of TNPs (<i>i.e.</i>, 3a and 5a) exhibited excellent antifouling activity. In addition, the TNPs and loaded PP membranes were also screened for their antiviral potential against the Hemagglutinin 9 Neuraminidase 2 (H9N2) and Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) viral strains, and TNPs 3a and 5a were found to be the most active antiviral agents, while the membranes loaded with the same, <i>i.e.</i>, PM-3 and PM-5, also exhibited significant antiviral potential. This study presents the design and development of innovative composite membranes that can be used to efficiently disinfect water through the integration of advanced nanomaterials and refined fabrication techniques.