Polylactic Acid/Halloysite Nanotubes-Titanium Dioxide Nanocomposites: Antibacterial and Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Polylactic acid (PLA) nanocomposite samples with different properties like mechanical, thermal, barrier and antibacterial properties are good candidates as packaging biomaterials. Unique PLA/TiO2 and PLA/HNTs-TiO2 nanocomposite samples were fabricated by solution casting method. The mechanical and antibacterial properties of PLA/TiO2 and PLA/HNTs-TiO2 samples were investigated with comparing to the pristine PLA film as a control sample. PLA nanocomposite samples with TiO2 nanofillers showed poorer mechanical properties while PLA films with PLA/HNTs-TiO2 showed unique developments, which tensile strength improved by 46% with the incorporation of 5 wt%. The PLA nanocomposites showed a high efficiency to both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, significant antibacterial effect being proved after first week elapsed time by comparing to the control sample (presenting no antibacterial effect). By considering the multifunctional characteristics of PLA/TiO2 and PLA/HNTs-TiO2 nanocomposites, the samples produced by solution casting can be considered a favourable alternative as environmental-friendly packaging materials.