Abstract

Effective antimicrobial polymeric nanocomposites were prepared with low density polyethylene (LDPE) and zinc oxide nanoparticles by melt compounding. These nanoparticles (similar to 17 nm) obtained by the sol-gel method, were used both as-synthesized and modified organically with oleic acid (Mod-ZnO). Young's modulus increased similar to 15 and 18% for LDPE/ZnO and LDPE/Mod-ZnO, respectively, compared to neat LDPE. When these composites were irradiated with white light, they showed an increase with nanoparticle incorporation, and the antimicrobial properties against E. coli were similar to 96-99%. The release of the Zn cations was related to the antimicrobial properties. These nanocomposites are attractive for use as food packaging without external irradiation.