Processing and characterization of polyethylene-AgNPs films—biocide effect

Abstract

Low-density-polyethylene (LDPE) and Linear-low-density-polyethylene (LLDPE) nanocomposites films containing silver nitrate (AgNO3 ) and surfactant oleic acid (AO) were manufactured via extrusion and subsequently characterised. The films were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Further, the antibacterial properties of the films were investigated against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) bacteria. The results indicated that LDPE nanocomposite films containing AgNPs have the potential to be used in antimicrobial packaging for food applications.