Preparation of Polypropylene/silver nanoparticles Nanocomposite films and Evaluation of its Barrier and Antimicrobial Properties for Packaging Applications

Abstract

Polymeric films which can be used in packaging industries were prepared by blown film method with polypropylene chips and silver nanoparticles. The nanocomposite films were characterized concerning its potential use. Oxygen Transmission rate (OTR) measurements was done in order to ascertain permeability of oxygen through the polymeric films. It was found that the permeability of oxygen through nanocomposite film is higher than that of virgin polypropylene film due to incompatibility between polypropylene matrix and silver nanoparticles. The water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) test of the polymeric nanocomposite films was calculated in order to know the information about mass transfer mechanisms and solute-polymer interactions in the food packaging film. It has been found that, there is a significant decreased water vapour transmission rate through nanocomposite films compared to that of virgin polypropylene film. With increasing the concentration of silver nanoparticles, this effect was reduced. The explanation for this could be that with higher concentration of silver nanoparticles agglomeration in the polymer film could the possibility which create narrow pathway for water molecules to travel. The effect of various silver nanoparticles content in the polymer nanocomposites with respect to its antimicrobial efficacy against the Gram positive bacteria Escherichia coli and Gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus were studied. However, Escherichia coli was most effectively retarded by silver nanoparticles than Staphylococcus aureus, which is related to the difference in the cell wall of the gram positive and gram negative bacteria.