Composites based on poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) and silver-calcined scallop shell powder: Mechanical, thermal, photocatalytic, and antibacterial properties

Abstract

Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) [EVA] and silver-calcined scallop shell powder (Ag-CS) based composite (EVA/Ag-CS) films were synthesized by wet phase inversion method. The composite films were characterized by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), water sorption test, and contact angle measurement. The functional properties such as photocatalytic and antibacterial properties were also studied in detail. Calcined scallop shell powder, which mainly contains CaO and Ca(OH)2 was prepared from a naturally occurring scallop shell by the sol–gel method. Silver-calcined scallop shell powder was prepared by the reduction of silver nitrate solution in the presence of calcined scallop shell powder. It was found that composite with a 6 wt% Ag-CS showed 5% better tensile strength and improved thermal properties than the pristine EVA. The incorporation of Ag-CS imparts photocatalytic property to EVA polymer matrix. Kinetics study showed that the photocatalytic process takes place through a pseudo-first-order manner. The antibacterial study of the prepared samples was tested by the agar-disc diffusion method. The composites are found to be good antibacterial material against Staphillococus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria.

Calcined waste shells as a promising, eco‐friendly adsorbent, antimicrobial, food preservative, and food packaging material: A mini review

“…Active food packaging can migrate nonvolatile components and release volatile compounds into the surroundings of food (Ahmed et al, 2022; Khaneghah et al, 2018; Ozdemir & Floros, 2004; Qian et al, 2021). Therefore, active food packing can maintain food quality, increase food shelf‐life, and enhance food safety Recently, some active food packaging has been developed, such as nanomaterial packaging incorporating metallic nanoparticles, edible coating, and biodegradable packaging (Manoj et al, 2021; Qian et al, 2021). Notably, the functional properties of active packaging materials depend on their active ingredients.…”

“…The packaging materials that directly contact food should be safe and non‐toxic. Calcined shell powder has received substantial attention because of its strong antimicrobial properties, biocompatibility, and non‐toxicity (Kao et al, 2018; Manoj et al, 2021; Tsou et al, 2019; Wu et al, 2019) Adding calcined shell powder filler to the polymer matrix of food packaging is a great way to prepare composite films (Figure 3).…”

“…Particularly, the addition of calcined shell powder as a functional filler to polymer matrixes does not cause cytotoxicity in humans according to the MTT and cell adhesion tests (Tsou et al, 2019). Recently, polymer matrices combined with calcined shell powder and metal ions (e.g., Ag, Zn, and Cu) have emerged as an excellent alternative to a hybrid composite (Manoj et al, 2021; Widakdo et al, 2022). Thus, calcined shell powder is a promising functional filler for the polymer industry.…”

Effect of polyethylene internal structure on antibacterial properties of nanosilver composites

“…23,24 Nanosilver antibacterial agents have been added to a variety of polymer materials in the past research, and the antibacterial properties of the composites show great differences. [25][26][27] Interestingly, some researchers have reported that silver exhibits different antibacterial properties in different materials. Lin et al 28 found that the antibacterial efficiency of PET/Ag was higher than that of PP/Ag with the same silver content in the composite.…”

“…This may be related to the three possible antibacterial mechanisms of nano‐silver: (1) binding to cell membranes, membrane proteins, and DNA bases leading to disruption of normal function; (2) release of silver ions, affecting membranes, DNA and proteins; (3) generate reactive oxidative species (ROS), which may also affect DNA, cell membranes and membrane proteins 23,24 . Nanosilver antibacterial agents have been added to a variety of polymer materials in the past research, and the antibacterial properties of the composites show great differences 25–27 . Interestingly, some researchers have reported that silver exhibits different antibacterial properties in different materials.…”