Silver nanoparticle thin films deposited on glass surface using an ionic silsesquioxane as stabilizer and as crosslinking agent

Abstract

Thin films containing silver nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed, with narrow size distribution below 10 nm, were synthesized on flat glass surface, by using an ionic silsesquioxane as stabilizer and crosslinking agent. The films can be prepared without previous functionalization of substrate surfaces and without addition of other components. The films were heat treated up to 200 ºC and characterized by ultraviolet-visible, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and ellipsometry. The films were thermally stable when heated up to 200 ºC, presenting the same thickness, and maintaining both optical and morphological properties of silver nanoparticles. The antibacterial activity of the films, containing the silver nanoparticles, was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus by using the film applicator coating method, showing an excellent performance even after the third cycle of sterilization.