Antibacterial LDPE Nanocomposites Based on Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles/Vermiculite Nanofiller

Abstract

Polyethylene (PE) nanocomposites with the zinc oxide-nanoparticles/vermiculite nanofiller were prepared in two-steps. In first step, the ZnO-np/V nanofiller were prepared by the mechanochemical method followed by a heat treatment at 650 °C for 90 min. In second step, this nanofiller was used in concentration 3, 6, 10 and 15 wt% for PE nanocomposites preparation via melt compounding technique, the nanocomposites plates were pressed. The particles morphology of the ZnO-np/V nanofiller, arrangement of the ZnO-np/V nanofiller and surface of the PE plates were studied using scanning electron microscopy, optical light microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The surface roughness of the PE plates was evaluated from AFM measurements. Structural changes of the ZnO-np/V nanofiller in PE nanocomposites were monitored using X-ray diffraction analysis and Fourier transform infrared analysis. The gradual and long-term antibacterial effect of PE nanocomposites was tested on the Gram positive bacteria E. faecalis by counting the colony forming units number.