Investigation of Functionalized Surface Charges of Thermoplastic Starch/Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite Films Using Polyaniline: The Potential of Improved Antibacterial Properties

• Published in: Polymers 2021-01, Vol.13 (3), p.425
• Main Authors: Charoensri, Korakot, Rodwihok, Chatchai, Wongratanaphisan, Duangmanee, Ko, Jung A, Chung, Jin Suk, Park, Hyun Jin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antimicrobial agents; Biodegradability; E coli; Gram-positive bacteria; Hydrophobicity; Investigations; Mechanical properties; Metal oxides; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Packaging; Particle size; Physical properties; Pollutants; Polyanilines; Polymers; Scanning electron microscopy; Spectrum analysis; Surface charge; Thermal stability; Zinc oxide; Zinc oxides
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym13030425

Improving the antibacterial activity of biodegradable materials is crucial for combatting widespread drug-resistant bacteria and plastic pollutants. In this work, we studied polyaniline (PANI)-functionalized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) to improve surface charges. A PANI-functionalized ZnO NP surface was prepared using a simple impregnation technique. The PANI functionalization of ZnO successfully increased the positive surface charge of the ZnO NPs. In addition, PANI-functionalized ZnO improved mechanical properties and thermal stability. Besides those properties, the water permeability of the bionanocomposite films was decreased due to their increased hydrophobicity. PANI-functionalized ZnO NPs were applied to thermoplastic starch (TPS) films for physical properties and antibacterial studies using Escherichia coli ( ) and Staphylococcus aureus ( ). The PANI-functionalized ZnO bionanocomposite films exhibited excellent antibacterial activity for both (76%) and (72%). This result suggests that PANI-functionalized ZnO NPs can improve the antibacterial activity of TPS-based bionanocomposite films.