Study on Preparation and Characterization of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene Nanocomposites Filled with ZnO Nanoparticles

Abstract

In order to create a completely flexible designed composite that makes it simpler to exhibit ideal mechanical and chemical properties, nano metal oxides are added to polymers as reinforcement. Polymer blends represent a crucial area in the management of innovative materials that outperform net polymers in terms of characteristics. Polymer mixes can provide components with lasting beneficial qualities, as opposed to what is possible with a single polymer equivalent. This study aimed to investigate the effects of varied filler loadings (0.1–0.7 wt%) on the mechanical, melt rheological, and antibacterial properties of reinforced ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) reinforced with modified zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO). UHMWPE and nano-ZnO modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane were combined to create UHMWPE/nZnO nanocomposites, which were then compressed. The study's conclusions revealed that the UHMWPE nanocomposites' mechanical properties were improved by the addition of modified nano-ZnO. The tensile properties, such as compressive strength, tensile strength, compressive modulus, elongation at break, and Vickers microhardness, were impacted by the concentration of modified nZnO. As filler loading was increased, the compressive strength and modulus, tensile modulus, and Vickers micro-hardness of nano-ZnO/UHMWPE nanocomposites all improved. The tensile strength and elongation at break remained lower even after nano-ZnO was added to UHMWPE. Using modified nano-ZnO at a concentration of 0.5 wt%, the highest tensile strength and elongation at break were attained. The nanocomposites displayed promising antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in tests. Because there was just a little amount of modified nano-ZnO doped into the UHMWPE matrix, the melt viscosity of the composites marginally increased.