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Mechanical and Antimicrobial Polyethylene Composites with CaO Nanoparticles
Cristián Silva1, Felipe Bobillier1, Daniel Canales1
1Grupo Polímeros, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile USACH, Casilla 40, Correo 33, Santiago 8320096, Chile.
Polymers
|September 23, 2020
Summary
Calcium oxide (CaO) nanoparticles enhance low-density polyethylene composites. Smaller, surface-modified CaO nanoparticles significantly boost mechanical properties and exhibit potent antimicrobial activity against E. coli.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Polymer nanocomposites offer tunable properties for advanced applications.
- Calcium oxide (CaO) nanoparticles show promise as functional fillers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of CaO nanoparticle size and surface modification on the properties of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) composites.
- To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of these nanocomposites against Escherichia coli.
Main Methods:
- Melt mixing of LDPE with CaO nanoparticles synthesized via sol-gel or sonication methods.
- Surface modification of CaO nanoparticles with oleic acid (Mod-CaO).
- Characterization of composite crystallinity, mechanical properties (Young's Modulus), and antimicrobial activity.
Main Results:
- Mod-CaO nanoparticles (25 nm) acted as nucleating agents, increasing polymer crystallinity.
- Young's Modulus increased up to 36% with Mod-CaO nanoparticles, indicating significant reinforcement.
- Antimicrobial activity against E. coli increased with CaO nanoparticle concentration, smaller size, and surface modification, achieving 99.99% reduction with 25 nm Mod-CaO.
Conclusions:
- Surface-modified CaO nanoparticles, particularly smaller ones, enhance mechanical properties of LDPE composites.
- These nanocomposites exhibit excellent antimicrobial behavior, driven by Ca2+ ion release.
- CaO nanoparticles are a viable antimicrobial filler for food packaging and medical devices.
