Effect of nano-ZnO-supported 13X zeolite on photo-oxidation degradation and antimicrobial properties of polypropylene random copolymer

Abstract

To improve the photo-oxidation degradation resistance and antimicrobial ability of ZnO-filled polypropylene random copolymer (PPR), 13X zeolite particles supported with nano-ZnO with different morphologies were prepared and used to manufacture filled PPR composites. The formation of ZnO with different morphologies on the surface of 13X zeolite was proved by atomic absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, UV–vis spectra, and fluorescence spectra. The results indicated that the photo-oxidation degradation resistance of nano-ZnO-supported 13X zeolite-filled PPR composites is higher than that of PPR composites filled by the same content of pure nano-ZnO. Antimicrobial experiment results show that nano-ZnO-supported 13X zeolite-filled PPR composites exhibit higher antimicrobial properties than ZnO-filled PPR composites prepared by directly adding nano-ZnO into PPR matrix for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The addition of nano-ZnO-supported 13X zeolite particles increases the crystallization temperature, but has no influence on the melting behavior of PPR composites.