Hydrophilic and Antibacterial Electrospun Nanofibers from Monofilament Fishing Lines

Microplastics such as monofilament fishing lines (MFLs) are major pollutants in the marine environment and affect marine life and water quality. To solve this global menace, many researchers have been working on several ways to recycle these wastes and convert them into value-added products such as nanofibers. In this study, we produced novel nanofibers through the electrospinning of a polymeric solution consisting of MFL, hydroxyapatite (HAP), and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). These fabricated nanofibers were further characterized to study their wettability, surface morphology, surface chemistry, thermal degradation, and antibacterial capability. Results from the incorporation of HAP and AgNPs showed increased fiber diameter and scattered fiber orientation. The addition of 0.4 and 1.5 wt% AgNPs to the nanofibers improved their thermal stabilities for temperatures above 350 °C. The MFL + HAP + 1.5 wt% AgNPs nanofibers showed the best antibacterial performance against Escherichia coli (gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive), with bactericidal efficiencies of 70.5% and 68.6%, respectively. Also, increasing the size of the nanofiber aids cell proliferation. These fabricated nanofibers could be used for biomedical and water purification applications.