Effect of types of zinc oxide nanoparticles on structural, mechanical and antibacterial properties of poly(lactide)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) composite films

Three different zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONP) were prepared, each of them was prepared with a different source of zinc (zinc acetate, zinc chloride, zinc nitrate) and they were used to prepare PLA/PBAT-ZnONP composite films. The effects of the different type of ZnONP on the morphological, water vapor barrier, thermal stability, color, optical, and antimicrobial properties of PLA/PBAT-ZnONP composite films were explored. The PLA/PBAT blend film exhibited strong ultraviolet shielding properties at wavelengths below 300 nm. The ZnONP incorporated composite films showed a characteristic absorption peak of ZnONP around 370 nm. The surface morphology of the composite films was affected by the type of ZnONP, but the surface color, transparency, and chemical structure did not change after incorporation of ZnONP. The tensile strength of nanocomposite films increased significantly depending on the type of ZnONP used. The films reinforced with ZnONP exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes.