Development of neem modified ZnO photocatalyst incorporated ldpe for antimicrobial application
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Date
2018-06
Authors
Woo, Wei Jin
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Abstract
In recent years, healthcare-associated infections are rising concerns as the
susceptible attack of harmful microbes may cause death to patients. ZnO was
known with its antimicrobial properties and LDPE is commonly used in biomedical
field but the study on antimicrobial properties of ZnO incorporated LDPE was not
comprehensively investigated. Thus, this research project aims to develop stabilized
ZnO particles incorporated into LDPE for antimicrobial application. The ZnO is
stabilized using PVA by sonication method and neem extraction is added in using
methanol reflux method. It is found out that PVA can stabilized ZnO and neem
extraction further enhance the distribution of the ZnO. The stabilized particles were
incorporated into LDPE matric by injection moulding, and LDPE/ZnO/PVA/10%
neem portraits the lowest crystallinity (42.61%). Photocatalytic and scavenger test
confirmed release of ROS and Zn2+ ions released is confirmed by ICP test, which
contributes to the antimicrobial properties. Lastly, under the protocol of ASTM
E2149, the LDPE/ZnO/PVA/10% neem portraits antibacterial properties with
98.56% reduction of gram negative E.coli bacteria in 72 hours.