Study of antibacterial activity and other properties of paper coated by selenium nanoparticles

These days, researchers in all fields are looking to develop new products using new technologies including nanotechnology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of selenium nanoparticles in the paper coating formulations in order to improve the antibacterial, physical and mechanical properties of paper. The paper was coated with selenium nanoparticles with concentrations of 100 and 200 ppm accompanied by cationic starch. The paper surface coated with nanoselenium particles and starch has been characterized using ATR-FTIR and SEM. The results have showed that selenium nanoparticles had a good effect on inhibiting the growth rate of both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. At equal consumption levels, the growth rate of Staphylococcus aureus decreased more than that of Escherichia coli. The growth rate of Staphylococcus aureus bacterium in the control and nanoselenium 200ppm coated paper specimens were 91.93% and 8%, respectively. Density and thickness of the paper sheets increased in the paper coated with cationic starch and nanoparticles in comparison with uncoated paper. Water absorption and water vapor Transmission Rate in nanoselenium coated samples were lower than starch coated samples and coatings had a significant effect on the rate of resistance to air in the paper. It is also seen increasing concentration of nanoparticles had no significant effect on the burst and tear indexes.