Improving Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Properties of Zein/Polyvinyl Alcohol Polymer Composite Film by Dispersing TiO2 Nano Particles

Abstract

Zein/polyvinyl alcohol/nano-TiO 2 composite film was effectively blended using a solution casting method. Mechanical, photocatalytic, and antibacterial properties of the composite film were evaluated. The breaking elongation of the composite film increased up to the maximum loading of 0.4% of nano-TiO 2 . The humidity and moisture content relationship was estimated with standard modified models of Halsey, Oswin, Chung Pfost, and Henderson. It was found that the Halsey model was the most suitable mathematical model to predict the effect of humidity on moisture absorption of zein/PVA/nano-TiO 2 composite film. The dispersion of nanoparticles in the composite film was evidenced by a field emission scanning electron microscope. In addition, the film was thermally stable up to a temperature of 200 o C, indicated by a thermographic analyzer. Methyl orange photocatalytic degradation met kinetics of the 1 st order reaction with a total degraded amount of 92 percent. Moreover, the role of TiO 2 nanoparticles in the composite film has a remarkable effect on the inhibition of gram-positive and negative bacterial growth. The synthesized film can be a possible alternative for production of surface protective packaging material.