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. 2025 May 5;15(1):15652.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-97540-z.

Preparation of antimicrobial polymeric composites using defective silk cocoons and moringa seed oil as additives for polyvinyl chloride

Nagwa A Kamel  1 , Nehad N Rozik  2 , Salwa L Abd El-Messieh  3
Affiliations

Preparation of antimicrobial polymeric composites using defective silk cocoons and moringa seed oil as additives for polyvinyl chloride

Nagwa A Kamel et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

In this work, novel polymeric blends were prepared from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and silkworm cocoon waste (SCW), that were defective cocoons excluded during the silk-making process in the ratio 50:50 w/w. These blends were incorporated with moringa seed oil (MSO) as a bio-based plasticizer with different concentrations (1, 2, and 3%) to obtain a final bioplastic with superior antimicrobial properties. The new composites are characterized through Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transmission Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), contact angle measurements, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dielectric, mechanical, and antimicrobial properties. Results of the study pointed to improved linking between the blend phases after incorporating 2% MSO. The composites could inhibit the growth of all the tested microorganisms. The conductivity σdc values increased by increasing the content of MSO in the composite. The results demonstrate the potential of the new MSO plasticized composites as promising candidates for use in hospitals as antimicrobial surfaces.

Keywords: Antimicrobial; Bio-based plasticizer; Dielectric; PVC composites; Silk cocoons.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Appearance of (a) cocoons, (b) treated cocoons, (c) PVC, (d) PVC/SCW, (e)–(g). PVC/SCW/MSO Composites with MSO content 1, 2 and 3% respectively.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
SEM images for a cross-section of (a) PVC/SCW, (b) PVC/SCW/MSO1%, (c) PVC/SCW/MSO 2%, and (d) PVC/SCW/MSO 3% [Magnification 3000X].
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
FTIR spectra for (a) SCW, (b) MSO, and (c) PVC &PVC/SCW/MSO composites.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
ε′ and ε″ versus the applied f, for the composites under investigation.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
ε′ and ε″ versus the MSO content at f = 100 Hz.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Example of the data analysis for PVC/SCW/MSO 3%
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
The variation of both σdc and τ2 versus MSO content.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
(a) TGA and (b) Derivatives for PVC, PVC/SCW, and PVC/SCW/MSO with different concentrations of MSO.
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Tensile strength and elongation at break for PVC/SCW/MSO composites versus MSO content.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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