Preparation of Antibacterial Polyvinylcholoride-Zno Nanocomposite with Improved Mechanical Properties Using Taguchi Experimental Design

In this research, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were selected as reinforcing agent with the aim of improving antibacterial and mechanical properties of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC-ZnO nanocomposite was prepared by dispersing ZnO nanoparticles into a PVC solution. Taguchi experimental design method was used to determine the optimal conditions for preparation of nanocomposite. The effects of five factors including ZnO weight percentage, kind of solvent, the addition method of ZnO, film drying temperature and stirring time were investigated on different levels. Optimal conditions were determined by using the signal/noise (S/N) method. It was distinguished that, kind of solvent, the addition method of ZnO and ZnO weight percentage are three significant factors in the confidence level of 95%. Staphylo coccus aureus and Escherichi coli, two different types of bacteria (one gram-positive bacteria and one gram-negative bacteria) were used in Mueller-Hinton broth for antimicrobial testing. This test confirmed the antibacterial property of the optimal nanocomposite in respect to pure polyvinyl chloride. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) coupled with an energy dispersive X-ray system (EDX) was used to characterize the composition and structure of the optimal nanocomposite film.