Bacteriostatic Activity of LLDPE Nanocomposite Embedded with Sol–Gel Synthesized TiO2/ZnO Coupled Oxides at Various Ratios

• Main Authors: Khairul Arifah Saharudin, Srimala Sreekantan, Norfatehah Basiron, Yong Ling Khor, Nor Hazliana Harun, Rabiatul Basria S. M. N. Mydin, Hazizan Md Akil, Azman Seeni, Kumaravel Vignesh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-08-01
• Series: Polymers
• Subjects: LLDPE nanocomposites; TiO2/ZnO nanoparticles; bacteriostatic activity; Staphylococcus aureus; Escherichia coli
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/10/8/878

Metal oxide-polymer nanocomposite has been proven to have selective bactericidal effects against the main and common pathogens (Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli)) that can cause harmful infectious diseases. As such, this study looked into the prospect of using TiO2/ZnO with linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) to inactivate S. aureus and E. coli. The physical, structural, chemical, mechanical, and antibacterial properties of the nanocomposite were investigated in detail in this paper. The production of reactive species, such as hydroxyl radicals (•OH), holes (h+), superoxide anion radicals (O2•¯), and zinc ion (Zn2+), released from the nanocomposite were quantified to elucidate the underlying antibacterial mechanisms. LLDPE/25T75Z with TiO2/ZnO (1:3) nanocomposite displayed the best performance that inactivated S. aureus and E. coli by 95% and 100%, respectively. The dominant reactive active species and the zinc ion release toward the superior antibacterial effect of nanocomposite are discussed. This work does not only offer depiction of the effective element required for antimicrobial biomedical appliances, but also the essential structural characteristics to enhance water uptake to expedite photocatalytic activity of LLDPE/metal oxide nanocomposite for long term application.