Bionanocomposites with enhanced antimicrobial activity and photodegradability based on low density polyethylene and nano TiO2/organoclay

Abstract

Bionanocomposite materials with enhanced photodegradability and bactericidal activity, as well as improved gas barrier properties, were manufactured by incorporating silicate nanolayers into the structure of low density polyethylene (LDPE) filled with nano titanium dioxide (TiO2) via melt compounding. Effects of interfacial compatibilization upon developed microstructure were studied by incorporating maleated LDPE into the nanocomposites formulation. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and rheo-mechanical spectroscopy (RMS) techniques were conducted to characterize the microstructure of the nanocomposites. Interfacially compatibilized TiO2/organoclay (OC) based nanocomposites exhibited shorter induction time for the onset of photodegradation, and an acceptable inactivation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) microbe cells upon UV light irradiation, indicating enhanced photoactivity of the hybridized TiO2/OC nanosystem. TiO2/OC-based nanocomposites exhibited increased melt viscosity and pseudo solid like characteristics in melt linear viscoelastic behavior. Moreover, TiO2/OC-based nanocomposites presented improved barrier properties, which make such materials applicable for packaging applications.Keywords: antimicrobial; LDPE; nano TiO2; organoclay; photodegradable Users without a subscription are not able to see the full content. Please, subscribe or login to access all content.