Silver‐loaded HDPE/clay nanocomposites with antibacterial property: A potential replacement for commodity polyethylene plastic

Abstract

A silver intercalated clay based HDPE nanocomposite with excellent antibacterial activity has been reported for the first time. Antibacterial silver‐clay (Ag‐MMT) synthesized in laboratory was incorporated into HDPE to prepare antibacterial HDPE/Ag‐MMT nanocomposites. Silver has been chosen as it is a powerful antimicrobial agent with additional properties such as unique optical, electrical, and thermal characteristics. The nanocomposites were fabricated through melt mixing route in a twin‐screw extruder with varying Ag‐MMT concentrations. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X‐ray diffraction studies confirmed superior dispersion of clay platelets in HDPE. Dynamic oscillatory properties and mechanical characteristics of the nanocomposites were determined to observe the effect of Ag‐MMT on HDPE. Antimicrobial testing of these nanocomposites against Gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Gram‐positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus showed excellent bioactivity (>99%) at 5 wt% Ag‐MMT. These antibacterial plastic materials have potential to replace neat HDPE products in niche areas where antimicrobial property would be highly desirable. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E366–E377, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

Enhancing antibacterial properties of polypropylene/Cu‐loaded montmorillonite nanocomposite filaments through sheath–core morphology

“…In polymer/clay nanocomposite systems, the state of dispersion of the nanofillers plays a pivotal role in deciding the extent of functional properties of the nanocomposite. A poorly dispersed system results in a brittle nanocomposite with little or no functional enhancement, whereas a well‐dispersed system increases the value of the nanocomposite many times. The dispersion characteristics of Cu‐MMT in PP/Cu‐MMT nanocomposites were studied using TEM.…”

“…The good adsorptive property makes MMT a suitable candidate for preparing antimicrobial materials with well‐known biocidal metals like Ag, Cu and Zn ions/NPs intercalated/adsorbed in the inter‐gallery space. The clay–metal ion/NP complex provides a synergistic effect with sustained release of trapped species resulting in long‐term antimicrobial efficacy.…”

“…Antimicrobial MMTs based on Ag and Cu ion/NP nanocomposites are fabricated using various polymers using melt, solution or in situ intercalative polymerization. Bioactive nanocomposite systems based on Ag‐exchanged MMT represent the most focused research area with exploration of polymers such as high‐density polyethylene, polycaprolactone, polyaniline and epoxy resin. The Cu‐MMT‐based polymer nanocomposites are relatively less explored with systems like polystyrene and polyaniline with Cu‐MMT dispersed by in situ polymerization reported in one study.…”

Composite of PLA Nanofiber and Hexadecyl Trimethyl-Ammonium Chloride-Modified Montmorillonite Clay: Fabrication and Morphology

“…Furthermore, the alkylammonium or alkyl phosphonium cations can deliver functional groups that can react with the polymer matrix, or under certain conditions activate the polymerization of monomers to significantly improve the bonding between the inorganic and the polymer matrix [30]. Research work on modified MMT blending with various polymers like polycaprolactone (PCL), polyethylene (PE), and polylactic acid (PLA) has been investigated in the past few years [31][32][33]. These research investigation reports highlighted the importance of spinning capabilities of fibers or films of polymer nanocomposite.…”

Effect of Natural Macromolecule Filler on the Properties of High‐Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

“…Bian et al studied the formation of HDPE composites strengthened‐toughened synergistically by L‐aspartic acid functionalized graphene/carbon nanotubes hybrid materials. Furthermore, Roy et al studied the addition of silver nanoparticles on the HDPE/clay nanocomposites and emphasis was put on their antibacterial properties. Some nanomaterials were used with HDPE such as silicalite‐1 and their rheological and physical properties were investigated .…”