Synthesis and Effect of Hierarchically Structured Ag-ZnO Hybrid on the Surface Antibacterial Activity of a Propylene-Based Elastomer Blends

In this study, a hybrid Ag-ZnO nanostructured micro-filler was synthesized by the drop technique for used in plastic and medical industry. Furthermore, new antibacterial polymer nanocomposites comprising particles of Ag-ZnO up to 5 wt % and a blend of a thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer (TPO) with polypropylene were prepared using twin screw micro-compounder. The morphology and crystalline-phase structure of the hybrid Ag-ZnO nanostructured microparticles obtained was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffractometry. The specific surface area of this filler was investigated by means of nitrogen sorption via the Brunauer-Emmet-Teller method. A scanning electron microscope was used to conduct a morphological study of the polymer nanocomposites. Mechanical and electrical testing showed no adverse effects on the function of the polymer nanocomposites either due to the filler utilized or the given processing conditions, in comparison with the neat polymer matrix. The surface antibacterial activity of the compounded polymer nanocomposites was assessed against Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P, according to ISO 22196:2007 (E). All the materials at virtually every filler-loading level were seen to be efficient against both species of bacteria.