Fabrication and Characterization of PVDF/PEO/WO3 Hybrid Nanocomposite with Enhanced Antibacterial Performance

Biomedical applications are increasingly using biocompatible nanocomposite materials due to their effectiveness against bacteria. This paper evaluated the effectiveness of applying biocompatible nanocomposite membranes made from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as well as polyethylene oxide (PEO) that contain tungsten trioxide (WO₃) nanoparticles to obtain a more consistent distribution of the WO₃ nanoparticles within a polymeric matrix and hence improve the bioactivity of the membrane.Prepared nanocomposites were tested for their antibacterial activity against both Escherichia coli (a Gram-negative bacterium) and Staphylococcus aureus (a Gram-positive bacterium). The data indicated that the more nanocomposite present, the greater the number of inhibited bacteria (i.e., diameter of inhibition zone). The resulting increase in the antibacterial activity can be explained by the presence of WO₃ nanoparticles in the nanocomposites producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), damaging the bacterial cell membrane and resulting in cellular damage and inhibition of growth.Increased Nano porosity and surface roughness of the membrane morphology implies that the membranes will have a greater affinity for bacteria due to higher levels of adhesion and also disruptability of bacteria's ability to adhere to the surface. Thus, the membranes of the PVDF/PEO/WO₃ nanocomposite show excellent antiphathogenic activity making them good candidates for biomedical and antimicrobial uses especially for controlling infections or as protective materials.