| Abstract: | The authors present the fabrication of electrospun nanofibers with antimicrobial properties by the UV-initiated grafting (photo-grafting) of 2-substituted vinylimidazoles onto nylon 6 nanofibers. The characterization was performed using IR spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX). The antimicrobial properties of the grafted electrospun nylon 6 nanofibers were evaluated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as model challenge microorganisms, using the dynamic shake flask method. All the grafted electrospun nylon 6 nanofibers exhibited excellent growth reduction of E. coli (99.94–99.99%) and S. aureus (99.55–99.99%). The electrospun nylon 6 nanofiber composites could be used twice before a decrease in antibacterial activity was observed. The study showed that electrospun nylon 6 nanofiber composites possess a potential for use to control pathogens in water. |
