Antibacterial silver nanoparticle coating on oxo-biodegradable polyethylene film surface using modified polyethylene and corona discharge

This work compares the deposition of antimicrobial silver nanoparticles (AgNP) on oxo-biodegradable polyethylene (OB-PE) film surface by two methods: one by using blends of polyethylene (OB-PE) with maleic anhydride-modified PE (PEgMA) with two different molecular weights at various blend ratios and other by the OB-PE surface treatment with corona discharge at various treatment conditions. The surface of OB-PE film was treated by corona discharge and then both corona-treated film and OB-PE/PEgMA blend film were immersed in a colloidal solution of silver nanoparticles that were synthesized by chemical reduction of silver nitrate using ultrasound radiation. The efficiency of each surface treatment for surface modification was evaluated by FTIR-ATR spectrometry and contact angle determinations. The attachment of AgNP on OB-PE films was evaluated by UV–Vis and atomic absorption spectroscopy, STEM, XRD and antifungal efficiency. Both surface modifications induced the formation of polar groups that attached more AgNP on the OB-PE surface. Corona-treated films showed better silver attachment and antimicrobial activity but with lower mechanical properties apparently attributed to the initiation of polymer degradation by the corona discharge. The antimicrobial determinations indicated that these nanocomposite films could have different antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus niger depending on the PEgMA used and corona discharge conditions. The observed results could be applied to the design of industrial OB-PE films for packaging.