Polyolefin/ZnO Composites Prepared by Melt Processing

Molecules

Alojz Anžlovar¹  Ema Žagar¹  Željko Knez²  Mateja Primožič²  Maja Leitgeb²  Iztok Švab³ 

[1] Department of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia;ISOKON d.o.o., Industrijska cesta 16, SI-3210 Slovenske Konjice, Slovenia;

关键词: high density polyethylene;    polypropylene;    ZnO nanoparticles;    composites;    antibacterial activity;    UV-Vis stability;    mechanical and thermal properties;   

DOI  :  10.3390/molecules24132432

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Composites of polyolefin matrices (HDPE and PP) were prepared by melt processing using two commercially available nano ZnO powders (Zinkoxyd aktiv and Zano 20). The mechanical and thermal properties, UV-Vis stability, and antibacterial activity of composites were studied. Tensile testing revealed that both nano ZnO types have no particular effect on the mechanical properties of HDPE composites, while some positive trends are observed for the PP-based composites, but only when Zano 20 was used as a nanofiller. Minimal changes in mechanical properties of composites are supported by an almost unaffected degree of crystallinity of polymer matrix. All polyolefin/ZnO composites exposed to artificial sunlight for 8−10 weeks show more pronounced color change than pure matrices. This effect is more evident for the HDPE than for the PP based composites. Color change also depends on the ZnO concentration and type; composites with Zano 20 show more intense color changes than those prepared with Zinkoxyd aktiv. Results of the antibacterial properties study show very high activity of polyolefin/ZnO composites against Staphylococcus aureus regardless of the ZnO surface modification, while antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli shows only the composites prepared with unmodified ZnO. This phenomenon is explained by different membrane structure of gram-positive (S. aureus) and gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria.

【 授权许可】

Unknown