Polymeric Composites Based on Rigid PVC and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

The paper presents the processing and characterization of polymeric nanocomposites based on polyvinyl chloride plasticized with only 20% diisononyl phthalate for rigid and medical applications. In order to obtain materials with antibacterial and antifungal properties, functionalized zinc oxide nanoparticles were used. The functionalization was achieved with polydimethylsiloxane by ultrasonographic method in a control temperature environment. The influence of 1, 3, and 7 percent of functionalized zinc oxide nanoparticles were tested on the physical-mechanical properties, and the structure. The polymeric composites were processed on a Plasti-Corder Brabender 350 E mixer at 165-180°C and 150-180 revolutions per minute. The results show that adding zinc oxide nanoparticles into the composition led to an improvement in tear resistance, and tensile strength. Abrasion resistance present extremely good values. The FTIR spectra of the samples indicate that the new composites have a stable structure, due to a very good compatibility / interaction with the polymer matrix, the plasticizer does not tend to migrate to the surface.