Impact of Zinc Oxide Nano Particles, Poly Vinyl Alcohol, and Natural Polymers on Quality Characteristics of Nanocomposite Film

Abstract

The use of biodegradable films to replace the synthetic polymers prepared from natural polymers has been strongly limited owing to their poor barrier and mechanical properties. The modification was carried out with a partial replacement of natural polymers with synthetic polymer, such as PVA (poly vinyl alcohol), to increase the barrier properties of the film. The addition of an active ingredient in the form of nanoparticles such as Zinc Oxide (ZnO), enhanced the properties of the packaging materials compared to the conventional composite film, to which sonication imparted an excellent dispersion of nanoparticles in the slurry. The film thickness, water vapor permeability, film solubility, and mechanical properties of the composite, the composite with PVA, and the composite with PVA and ZnO nanoparticle film (active film) values differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the samples. The Z-average diameters of the composite slurry, the composite with PVA slurry, and the composite with PVA and ZnO nanoparticle slurry ranged from 242.20 to 1021.03 in nanometers (d-nm). The PDI and zeta potential of the samples were also analyzed. The antibacterial activity of the nanoparticles showed a distinct inhibition against Gram-positive Bacillus cereus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli in the treated films counterpart to the control films. The active film conferred excellent mechanical and barrier properties, including antibacterial properties.