Author(s)

Roy Buschbeck^1,2, Franziska Lüttich^1,2, Sebastian Spange¹, Ronny Köcher¹, Michael Röder¹, Andreas Heft¹, Bernd Grünler¹, Arnd Schimanski¹, Heinrich Lang²

¹Surface Engineering, Innovent e. V. Technology Development, Jena, Germany.
²Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, TechnischeUniversität Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany.

Magnetic core-shell nanoparticles of type Fe₃O₄@Ag were synthesized in gram scale following a combined co-precipitation phase-transfer method and afterwards, processed to nanoparticle polymer (polypropylene and polyamide) composites. These composites were used as sheath material for the fabrication of core-sheath fibers. During the melt spinning process, a magnetic field was applied around the roving, whereby the particles move in the still liquid sheath polymer towards the surface. The produced fiber materials were investigated by AFM showing a nanostructuring of the surface, which was indirectly confirmed by determination of a slight surface tension lowering. Nanoparticle movement was shown by cross-section SEM and EDX measurements. The antibacterial activity of the spun fibers was proven by contacting them with Escherichia coli. A long-term stability of this effect was observable by carrying out a standard washability test. In contrast to previous works this new approach uses no deposition technique to introduce surface changes. It rather applies a magnetic force to move appropriately equipped nanoparticles from the inside of the fiber to the surface. This leads in only one step to a strong superficial anchoring of the particles resulting in a unique combination of long-term stable antibacterial and improved anti-soiling effects.

Nanocomposites, Polymer Fibers, Core-Shell Nanoparticles, Magnetic Field Treatment, Nanostructured Surface

Buschbeck, R. , Lüttich, F. , Spange, S. , Köcher, R. , Röder, M. , Heft, A. , Grünler, B. , Schimanski, A. and Lang, H. (2017) Manufacturing of Surface Nanostructured Fibers Featuring an Antibacterial Effect by Magnetic Field Transportation of Magnetite@Silver Core-Shell Nanoparticles. Journal of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, 5, 1-16. doi: 10.4236/msce.2017.512001.