Polypropylene (PP)/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) blend films were prepared by changing content of CMC in the range of 0-20 wt%. Different analytical techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), mechanical test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to investigate some selected properties such as thermal properties, tensile strength, elongation and morphology. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed to identify the chemical structure of the prepared blend films. The blend film with composition PP/15 wt% CMC was selected due to its modified properties rather than other blends. The properties of original and irradiated PP/15 wt% CMC blend were investigated. It was found that the swelling behaviour is slightly increased with increasing CMC content and does not exceed 7%. It is observed that for PP/15 wt% CMC as irradiation dose increases the mechanical property (tensile strength) is enhanced up to 10 kGy and water resistant increases. The prepared PP/CMC with different concentration blends and the selected irradiated PP/15 wt% CMC blend with different doses 0, 5, 10 and 20 kGy were subjected to biodegradation in soil burial tests for 6 months using two different types of soils, namely, agricultural and desert soils. The properties of original PP/CMC blends and irradiated PP/15 wt% CMC blend that undergo biodegradation were investigated by mechanical test and SEM. From the study it can be concluded that there is a possibility of using PP/15 wt% CMC blend film irradiated to 10 kGy as a potential candidate for packaging purpose.

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Synthesis of antimicrobial films for packaging applications is eminent fields of research. This study describes preparation of biodegradable Poly (PVA/PLA/ TiO 2 ) nanocomposite films was carried out by blending polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polylactic acid (PLA) doped with titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles using solution casting method and then irradiated by γ-irradiation. The properties of the films were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, TGA, and mechanical tests. The addition of TiO 2 nanoparticles (0.8 wt%) explored considerable effects on thermal stability of the films. Results of FE-SEM and TEM illustrated quite uniformly dispersion of TiO 2 nanoparticles with average size of 17.5 nm. The effect of γ-irradiation on nanocomposite films showed enhanced water resistance property and water vapor transmission rate. The water resistance property was achieved using PVA/PLA composition ratio (2/1). The antibacterial activity was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria.Poly(PVA/PLA/TiO 2 ) nanocomposite film irradiated at 20 kGy displayed improved antibacterial activity and was selected for soil burial biodegradation tests. The biodegradation rate increased rapidly in the initial 12 weeks with significant changed morphology. The enhanced antibacterial efficiency and biodegradation property of the nanocomposite films suggest their possible use for development of packaging materials with low environmental impact.

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Cotton fabrics with antimicrobial properties were prepared by treatment with aqueous solutions of poly vinyl alcohol/zinc oxide (PVA/ZnO) nanocomposites and subsequently exposed to UV radiation. The ZnO nanoparticles, PVA/ZnO nanocomposite films, and treated cotton fabrics were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The antibacterial finishing of the treated cotton fabrics was evaluated toward gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. J. VINYL ADDIT. FIG. 3. The X-ray diffraction patterns of pure poly vinyl alcohol and poly vinyl alcohol/zinc oxide nanocomposite films. FIG. 4. Scanning electron microscopy of (a) untreated cotton fabrics, (b) poly vinyl alcohol/zinc oxide nanocomposite treated samples.