doi:10.1002/jctb.5749engBaldino, L.Aragón, J.Mendoza, G.Irusta, S.Cardea, S.Reverchon, E.Production, characterization and testing of antibacterial PVA membranes loaded with HA-Ag3PO4 nanoparticles, produced by SC-CO2 phase inversionART-2019-109732BACKGROUND: Silver-loaded hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were incorporated into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) membranes obtained by supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) assisted phase inversion. Ag3PO4 crystals of 2.2 ± 0.6 nm were dispersed in synthesized needle-like hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (20 × 65 nm) and were uniformly deposited on the internal surfaces of the PVA membranes. Operative conditions to produce membranes by SC-CO2, PVA concentration and the effect on membrane porosity and morphology were studied. RESULTS: Solutions at 20% w/w PVA produced membranes with cellular morphology and nanoporous walls, whereas 30% and 50% w/w solutions produced nanostructured membranes. Silver ions were released from PVA membranes mainly by diffusion according to the Peppas–Sahlin model. Membranes obtained at 20% w/w PVA showed a significant E. coli inhibition at an Ag concentration of 9 ppm, reaching the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and improving the bactericidal activity of the nanoparticles. CONCLUSION: A concentration of Ag3PO4 crystals of about 22 ppm was calculated as being capable of completely destroying these bacteria, reaching the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC).2019http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/7956910.1002/jctb.5749http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/79569oai:zaguan.unizar.es:79569JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 94, 1 (2019), 98-108All rights reservedhttp://www.europeana.eu/rights/rr-f/info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess