Synergistic effects of nano SnO2 and TiO2 on the mechanical and antibacterial properties of HDPE

Abstract

Abstract This research dealt with the synthesis of both nano stannic oxide (SnO₂) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles and how their addition to high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with 5 and 3%, respectively, can affect its properties from structural, mechanical, and permeability properties, besides the antibacterial activity. The possible modulation of HDPE plastic-elastic mechanical behavior was explored for each nanoparticle type and concentration. Adding 3% SnO₂ to HDPE notably improved mechanical properties in terms of toughness from 12.1 to 16.6 × 10 6 (J/m 3 ), fracture strength from 1.76 to 15.29 (MPa), and impact strength from 61.1 to 69.2 (J/m 2 ), besides increasing the ductility of HDPE via decreasing the Young’s modulus from 1.75 to 1.62 (GPa). This may be ascribed to the homogeneous distributions of nano-sized inorganic fillers. This made the HDPE have unique superior properties, making it suited for applications that need engineering designs. Similarly, adding a little amount of TiO₂ (1 wt%) improved attributes like toughness to 12.30 × 10 6 (J/m 3 ) and fracture strength to 11.29 (MPa), impact strength to 63.1 (J/m 2 ). The observed changes in the tested mechanical properties were influenced by filler dispersion, interfacial interaction between matrix and nano-filler, and matrix restriction mechanisms. On the contrary, high TiO 2 filler loading (3% wt.) resulted in agglomeration and interfacial structural defects, leading to deterioration of the HDPE’s mechanical properties. The enhanced properties of the HDPE-nano SnO₂ composites encouraged the production of films of these compositions to study their water vapor and Oxygen permeabilities, besides the antibacterial activity. Increasing nano SnO 2 percentage in HDPE matrix enhanced antibacterial functioning against both E. coli and MRSA, as mirrored by larger inhibition zones and lower obtained MIC values.