Evaluation of Strength, Optical and Antibacterial Properties of Treated Papers by Chitosan and Nano Zinc Oxide

Investigation about antibacterial papers has been attracted much attention. In this study, antibacterial papers were produced by treatment with chitosan, zinc nano oxide (Zno) and their composition. In the first stage, chitosan was used in 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5% and Zno in amounts of 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5%. Then, the optimum amounts of materials were determined according to bacterial response, and the paper was produced by the combination of chitosan and Zno. The strength, optical and antibacterial properties of the papers were investigated. The results showed that the tensile strength of the chitosan and Zno composite increased. The brightness and opacity of the papers decreased and increased, respectively. Also, the antibacterial performance of the papers on the E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus was good and prevented to the growth of bacteria.