Rheological Properties of Multi-Component Composites Based on Polymer-Polymer Matrix and Nanostructured Zinc Oxide

Polypropylene and it`s matrix composites have been used for decades. To make new materials for traditional and specific applications it has been blended with ethylene 1-octene copolymer to improve processing and impact resistance. To make material with non-common specific application nanostructured zinc oxide particles have been used to obtain material with good antiseptic properties, ultraviolet radiation stability, improved tribological and mechanical parameters. In the research polypropylene composites with ethylene 1-octene copolymer (0, 10 and 30 wt.%) and zinc oxide (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2 wt.%) obtained by melt mixing have been investigated. Rheological properties have been obtained by using two-capillary rheometer. Obtained results show pseudoplastic nature of all the tested composites. Shear data show no significant effect of zinc oxide particle concentration on shear viscosity of the tested materials. On the other hand, extensional viscosity data demonstrate considerable melt flow sensibility of the investigated composition. Addition of ZnO and EOC, however, has some stabilizing effect on melt behavior of the investigated PP based compositions.

Antibacterial Polysulfone Membranes: The Effect of Eugenol and Zinc Oxide as Additives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of eugenol and zinc oxide on antibacterial properties of polysulfone membrane. Polysulfone membranes were prepared by a simple phase inversion technique with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as solvent and polyethylene glycol as pore forming agent with zinc oxide and eugenol as additives. Membrane structure were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM) to observe the effect of both additives towards the formation of dense top layer and porous bottom layer of membrane. Disc diffusion test was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial performance against Escherichia coli (E.coli). SEM result showed the formation of thin top and bottom layers with more porous structure for hydrophilic zinc oxide particle, while dense top and bottom layers with slightly smaller porous network for eugenol addition. However, accumulations of particles were found for membrane with zinc oxide at higher concentration. The synergistic effect of combination zinc oxide and eugenol on antibacterial activity against E coli was found in this study. Besides that, the inhibition ring of membrane was improved 200% when both zinc oxide and eugenol were added in polysulfone membrane, Based on the findings, we can conclude that membrane with a combination of zinc oxide and eugenol has a huge potential membrane for bacterial removal.

Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Hollow and Flower like Microspheres by Simple One Step Solvothermal Approach

Zinc oxide with spherical shaped and flower shaped morphology are prepared by simple one step solvothermal method. The product is subjected to characterization to investigate the morphology and size by using X ray diffraction , semi electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The size of the prepared zinc oxide particle is in the range of 1 micrometer to 3 micrometers. The outer surface of the particles is not smooth but it is rough. The possible formation mechanism for the product is investigated that is further justified by means of structural characterization.