Antibacterial Polymeric Nanocomposites with Matrix of PET and TiO2 Functionalized Nanoparticles with Application in Medical and Food Industry

Thermoplastic polyesters represent an important class of polymers used in a variety of products and applications, one of which is poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET). Currently, PET is the most cost-effective polyester. PET can be processed in a variety of domestic and industrial shapes and products by melt processing techniques such as spinning, extrusion, injection, blowing, thermoforming. Polymer composite materials are systems consisting of one or more discontinuous phases dispersed in a continuous phase. In this paper, elastomeric nanocompound materials were selected, due to performance properties such as: antimicrobial, resistance to aggressive chemical agents, mechanical properties, especially hardness which, depending on the degree of plastification, can present values from very low to high 30 -100°Sh D, thermal, impermeability, resilience, low density, elasticity, thermostability, processability, impact resistance etc. The new compounds produced by a simple and efficient technology for obtaining polyethylene terephthalate (PET) composite, TiO2 functionalized nanoparticles, provide flexibility in adapting superficial chemistry and molecular structure to the polymer / nanoparticle interface. These nanomorphic molecules form the “molecular bridges” between individually dispersed compounding agents and the continuous phase polymer matrix resulting in a maximized performance of the composite material by optimized interface compatibility and bonding.